..F527 '^'\ " •*' \^ % -^ •'■ ^" ^ '"-^' N* ^^ 4^ THREE POLITICAL TRAGEDIES ,M>r^. f J- Three Political Tragedies Napoleon The Lion at Bay The Tyrolese Patriots fer CHARLLS G. FALL A itfOf '->? COH ASSET MASSACHLSfcTTS pr ^.--*^ r r li C-V- ,1 -■■■■/ Copyright, 1914, By Cuaklks G. Fall All rights reserved PRINTED IN THK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA THE COLONIAL PRESS C. H. SIMONDS CO., BOSTON, U. 8. A. M 13 1914 ^CIA376933 Ko / CONTENTS PAQB Napoleon — From Toulon to St. Helena 1 The Lion at Bay Ill The Tyrolese Patriots 219 TiAPOLEON — FKOM TOULON TO ST. HELENA This is an attempt to dramatize the career of Xapo- leon. What life since Adam was one more dramatic ? From Toulon to Friedland ascending ! From Friedland to St. Helena descending! Up like a rocket, down like a stick ! The son of a notary ; the rival of Charlemagne ; the fellow of convicts. Xor is it difficult t-o believe that no such person has ever existed, so meteoric was his career. It surpassed Caesar's, indeed, for Xapoleon filled out his allotted davs. Xo one should attempt this task who has not tried to know his history as nuns know their Bibles. Xor is this knowledge enough ; for the causes which lifted him and the causes which tumbled him should be dis- covered, and his character and opinions and those of the men around him must be learned. And with this must go a dramatic instinct and some poetical gifts. It is a task for Shakespeare. But Shakespeare isn't here and a village carpenter has attempted it. It has been badly done, no doubt. But such as it is, here it is. NAPOLEON — FROM TOULON TO ST. HELENA A Drama in Five Acts and Eight Scenes (Four large and four small) (1795-1797) Act 1, Scene I. The Garden of the Luxembourg, Paris. Scene IL Same scenery. Scene III. Same scenery. Scene IV. Same scenery. (1807) Act II, Scene I. The Garden at Schonbrunn, Vienna. Scene II. Same scenery. Act III, Scene I. A hut in a forest. Scene II. A fisherman's house near the sea. Scene III. The nave of the Cathedral at Erfurt. Act IV, Scene I. A salon in the palace at Fon- tainebleau. Scene II. A tent on a battle-field. Act V, Scene I. The battle-field of Leipsic (vil- lage street). Scene II. The courtyard at Fontaine- bleau. Scene III. Same scenery. Scene IV. Same scenery. Scene V. Spectacular. 5 DRAMATIS PERSONS NAPOLEON -FROM TOULON TO ST. HELENA DRAMATIS PERSONAE Napoleon Bonaparte. Goethe, the German poet. MuRAT, Marshal of France, King of Naples; hrother- in-law of Napoleon. ISTey, Marshal of France; " the Bravest of the Brave." Macdonalb, Marshal of France; hero of the coup d'etat. Talleyrand, Bishop of Verdun; minister and diplo- matist. Prince Metternich, Austrian minister and diploma- tist. Alexander, Czar of Russia. Barras, Member of the Directory. Carnot, Member of the Directory ; organizer of the Revolutionary armies. Latourneur and two other Directors. Count Haugwitz, Prussian minister; diplomatist. Eugene, son of Josephine; Marshal of France; heir presumptive of Napoleon. Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon; afterwards King of Holland. Josephine Beauharnais, afterwards Empress of France. 8 NAPOLEON Carolink BowAPAKTb;, wifc of Mural; afterwards Queen of Naples. Paulime Bonaparte, afterwards Priticess Borghese. HoRTENSE Beauiiarnais, daughter of Josephine, who became wife of Louis Bonaparte, and Queru of Holland; mother of Napoleon HI. Marie Louise, daughter of Emperor of Austria, who becomes Empress of France. Queen Louise, Queen of Prussia, mother of Kaiser William I. Fritz, Crown Prince of Prussia: afterwards Frederick ^yilliam■ HI. Prince Wii.liam of Pru^^^sia. afterwards Kaiser Will- iam I. An Assassin, who attempts the life of Napoleon. An English Spy. An Ilussar. Kings, princes, dukes, in attendance at the Congress of Erfurt. Note. — An attempt to dramatize Napoleon's life, his rise and fall, and its causes, must, of necessity, put upon the stage the characters prominent during the epochs of the life represented. Some of them, like Xey, Talleyrand, Murat, were prominent during his whole career; others, like Barras, Carnot, Metternich, Queen Louise, ]\rarie Louise, Josephine, during a part only. It follows, therefore, that these latter appear in parts of the play only, and one actor can, if desired, take two of these parts. One actor could take the part of Napoleon and Talley- DRAMATIS PERSONS 9 rand ; Barras and JSTey ; Carnot and Macdonald ; Hor- tenvse and Marie Louise ; Josephine and Queen Louise ; Murat and llaugwitz ; Eugene and Alexander. Louis Bonaparte, Caroline, and Pauline have little, and the kings, princes and dukes in attendance at the Congress of Erfurt, nothing to saj. 10 NAPOLEON ACT I Scene I The Garden of the Luxembourg. Cosium.es of ths time of the Directory. Barras and Carnot in con- ference. Barras. More blood ? Has not the p^iillotine yet slaked Medusa's thirst ? Think you this mob will move on ns to-morrow ? Cnrnot. I hear that Saint Antoine's a seething caul- dron ; Montmartre's ablaze with discontent; I fear Sedition Shakes her Gorgon head at us ! Barra-s. The people hate this new-born Constitution These blacksmiths now arc hammering out; I've heard the Earthquake's e:rowls and mutterings; 'Twould seem as if the blood of all the thousands Queen Guillotine has sent unshrived to Heaven Should sate her greedy maw ! Carnot. The tiger, when he gets the tast-e of blood, Cries, like the horse-leech, " Give, oh, give me blood! " Such gorv vaporings intoxicate Like wine. Barras. How many madmen do you fear? Carnot. Some thirty thousand, Sant^rre says. Barras. 'Twas such a mob that trudged, six years ACT FIRST n Ago, from Paris to Versailles To thunder Famine in King Louis' ears ; A swirling torrent ! Such Vesuvian rage The Bastille stormed, and bore De Launay's head Through Paris on a pike. Carnot. These were the agonies of centuries That burst their barriers. . . . Barras. To deluge France with Insurrection's bile. But times have changed. These raving lunatics Must now be chained. They'll have our heads, betimes. Carnot. The medicine for madmen is cold iron. They need steel bayonets and iron pills. Barras. 'Twill either kill or cure; our heads are theirs Or theirs are ours. There is a Corsican, A sallow stripling, with big, hungry eyes. Who dogs my steps and offers a prescription Will quiet mobs, he says. A young lieutenant ; His eager visage haunts the gallery. Carnot. What is his name ? Barras. I've never heard. He says that at Toulon He had a battery. Carnot. What is his medicine ? Barras. Volleys of grape-shot. This, he says, will send These dervishes a-flying to their holes. Carnot. But how would he administer his poison ? Barras. He'd station guns at the converging streets ; Build barricades with paving-stones, and Send his leaden pellets down their throats. 12 NAPOLEON Carnot. 'Twould iill more graves than doctors can with physic! [Talleyrand approaches, dressed like a Bishop. Barras. Who's this comes here? Is't Talleyrand? Carnot. His form, his face, his limp ! Barras. Quintessence of deceit ! Carnot. A serpent's wisdom sanctifies his guile! I knew him when at school ; beneath that cassock There lurks Ambition's impish frenzy. Talleyrand. Good morrow, gentlemen ! Barras. Good morning, Talleyrand ! Carnot. Good morning! You've been away from Paris ? Talleyrand. Oh, yes. This climate suits not my complexion. Whene'er the sun is crimson, skies rain blood, Why, then, a man of my pale countenance Should try a cooler atmosphere; this air Of Paris was far too Vesuvian. And then that collar ^Madame Guillotine Adjusts so closely round her lovers' throats Was not becoming to my pallid beauty ; When drawn too close it cuts the chin. Bairas. Yes, Robespierre complained of this. Talleyrand. And I have read that the Assembly begged Her Majesty, Queen Guillotine, to try On him the coat he'd tried so oft on others. Carnot. Where found yon that salubrious air ? Talleyrand. Among the Red Men and the Puritans, ACT FIRST 13 Across the seas in forest solitudes. Carnot. America ? Talleyrand. My cloisters were primeval colonnades Where Kennebec betroths Atlantic's surge. Carnot. You knew her patriot sons ? Talleyrand. Yes, Franklin and the brace of Adamses, And him who dipt his pen in eagle's blood And wrote : All men have been created equal In right to life and law and liberty ; — And Washington, the noblest of them all. And one of Plutarch's men, the Scipios' son. Barras. And Lafayette says he gave them back his sword When he had cut the Lion's claws ! Carnot. You know their Constitution? Talleyrand. Its stately tread is burnt upon my brain ; In wisdom 'tis the heir of all the ages ; For Magna Charta and the Bill of Rights Were but the vestibule of Freedom's temple, Barras. And will it stand the fires and hurricanes Of party madness, civil war and faction ? Talleyrand. Aye ! 'tis so braced, so buttressed everywhere, That Samson's self could not its columns shake. Carnot. Its seeds are scattering . . . Talleyrand. With every wind. No ship that east- ward turns Its prow towards France or towards the German Rhine 14 NAPOLEON But bears the seeds of Freedom, broadcast sows This gospel of the free through Europe. Carnot. How strange that in that Western wilder- ness A cloud should rise no bigger than man's hand And deluge Europe with its aqueous blessings ! From them we learned to sing our Marseillaise. Talleyrand. But learned, besides, the Song of An- archy ! These mobs; these Hydra Kings, now spouting blood And fire; these butchers who have turned all France To shambles and, like tigers when they've tasted Man's blood, cry out for more and will not be Denied ; they threaten ruin to our lands. Your Madame Guillotine a sister is Of Thraldom's iron maid of Nuremberg. You have no easy task, my friends, to hold These devils in your leash. Beware! Beware! [Talleyrand goes out. Barras. Too well we know that Damoclean sword Is hanging over us ! Our eyes can see Its gleaming blade, and see the single hair Suspends it ; seen it fall on other heads, On Danton's, Roland's, Antoinette's, Lamballe's, On heads as numberless as are the leaves At Fontainebleau or countless sands restrain The surging sea. Ah ! but to see the sword Is not to escape it ! How can this be done ? [MuRAT enters, dressed in the uniform of the ACT FIRST 15 National Guard, and hands a letter to Bar- BAs, which he reads and hands to Carnot. Barras. Young Bonaparte suspects the mob to-mor- row ! Shall we enlist his aid ? Do you approve His scheme for our defence ? {To Murat. Know you the sender of this missive ? Murat. We wet our whistles, when we've sous enough, And break our bread together. Barras. Has he an iron nerve ? Murat. A nerve as dauntless as was Caesar's ! Caesar's his constant study, bedfellow ! Barras. Knows he the art of war ? Murat. He's godson of the God of War. The air He sniffs is superfluous with battle-smoke. Barras. Can he enforce his will ? Murat. He's inch on inch a soldier ; born to snatch Fair Fortune by the forelock. Barras. At the Directory in half an hour ! [Murat goes out. This youth has Fortune made for this occasion ; We must unsheathe the sword of Resolution And gird it round our loins ; think you not so ? ISTow Opportunity must seize War's hand ! The hour has flown when pale-faced, blue-eyed Thought Should head the table at our council-board. Is't true that when Toulon was captured back This lad showed he had tiger's teeth ? Carnot. True ! Now I do remember me I sent 16 NAPOLEON A young lieutenant — Bonaparte his name — To inspect our southern ports and their equipments, And make report how best our sea-girt coast We could defend against the Lion's paw. He knew the uses of artillery. Barras. Let us commend him to the rest ! For time Is pressing; our necessities are great. [Both go out. Scene II Same scenery. A council of war in progress. Baekas, Caknot and the other three memhers of the Direc- tory are sitting in conference when the curtain rises. Barras. The Hapsburg fears his dynasty's in dan- ger And little does he reck of those he rules; Clamors for patient donkeys he can ride ; His fear is lest he lose his palaces, His plunder and that sword of Charlemagna And Prussia's rule of blood and bayonets Is but the Hohenzollern's greed of power. Both seek to keep themselves and keep all Kings Upon the thrones their bandit forebears won. This gi-asping hunger has become a frenzy And topples Reason from its high estate To place the coronet upon War's brow. Thou Genius of the Revolution ! Come I Strike off the shackles from our patient hands I ACT FIRST 17 Kings are the People's choice, not God's elect. Freedom would from the house-top swing her cap And Thraldom weep if Royalty should die. How children oft are slaughtered like sweet lambs For sins some royal favorite has done ; And Virtue oft the scars of Vice will bear That Kings may wear their father's livery. Carnot. A sad, sad fate ! Barras. But war is Hell ; 'tis never holiday ; The savage hand of Might, not Right! The wraiths of glory that enhalo war, That pageant of hoarse, clamorous tongues Which Rumor's trumpet heralds through the world, This is man's recompense for dying. The lad Who cut the bridge when Tiber rolled beneath, To stay Etruria's hordes of slaughterers. And sank with it in Tiber's tawny arms. Rose up upon the chariot-wheels of Fame. But oh, the fathers, mothers, sweethearts, wives Who wash down Want and Agony with tears ! They die as if a candle had gone out. With none to tell that here some broken heart With its faint sputterings expired ! War ! War ! You are the game of Kings ; Kingdoms your stake ! Latourneur. What news bring back your spies from Austria ? What armies has the Hapsburg in his camps Entrained for France ? Carnot. When Winter lifts her grip from off our highways, 18 NAPOLEON Then Austria will send three armies forth. The first will tempt our border from the north ; Another from the Rhine ; a third will scale The Savoy Alps ; but all will steer their course For Paris and the bleeding heart of France, Their banners blazoned with : Long live all Kings. Latourneur. And we ? Carnot. Our northern armies are now panoplied ; Jourdan commands the first; Moreau, the Rhine . . . Latourneur. And Italy's? Carnot. We've called for volunteers; our procla- mations Posted : To arms ! The country is in danger ! Latourneur. And who commands these volunteers ? Carnot. What say you to young Bonaparte ? [MuRAT comes in excitedly. Murat. All Paris will be here anon ! The people Have heard your cry and boil with joy, Cheering the orators, ready to march With guns or clubs, pitchforks or anything! [Crowds tegin to come in. Carnot. Here is the patriot's answer to our call! France, fair France ! dear mother of us all ! Your sons for centuries have poured their blood, Their Avealth, their honor, everything held dear, Into your sacred urn, and lighted it With fire called down from Heaven. Oft, too oft, This incense rose as from a funeral pyre, Faded as smoke to nothingness ; and yet The horrid holocaust goes on. ACT FIRST 19 Scene III This scene is spectacular, a continuation of the previous o.ne, and is designed to recall the famous picture in the Versailles galleries called " The Enlistment." As the patriots come in three tables are brought from the wings, on which placards are hung: " To Arms! The Country is in danger!" Bareas, Caenot a^id MuEAT take seats at the tables and open enlistment rolls, ivhich people come up and eagerly sign. Women want to contribute, and Mukat puts his hat on the table, into which they throw rings, bracelets, trinkets, necklaces, brooches, watches, etc., till the hat is full. Men in groups engage in eager conversation. Young BoisTAPAETE comcs in, in the uniform of the National Guard, and calmly watches the scene from the wings. A veteran of other wars comes, in his faded uniform, on crutches, and brings his son, who signs; and he wants to do so himself. A widow brings her son and his father's sivord, and ivhen he has signed she buck- les the sword around him and kisses him. A young man comes ivith his wife, leading her little children, signs the roll, and his wife and children kiss him with pride. A crowd of recruits, led by St. Cyr, march around the stage with muskets, swords, lances, pitchforks and the '' Tricolor " tied to guns and swo)-ds. The orchestra plays the Marseillaise and the crowd sing it. The greatest enthu^siasm exists. 20 NAPOLEON Scene IV Same scenery. Costumes of the time of the Directory. Barras comes in from dinner with Josephine Beau- iiARNAis, who afterwards marries Bonaparte, on his arm. The noise of plates and glasses is heard as the curtain rises. Afterwards Murat comes in with Caroi.ine Bonaparte^ who afterwards hecomes his wife and Queen of Naples. As the curtain rises a/n orchestra behind the scenes plays some light music, suitable for a dinner-party. Later Talleyrand comes in luith Pauline Bonaparte, atid Louis Bonaparte with Hortense Beauharnais, Joseph- ine's daughier, whom he afterivard marries and be- comes King of Belgium. Eugene i^ with them. They dance a minuet afterwards, waving the " Tri- color." Josephine. Delightful! Charming! What infinite assurance ! Were all his soldiers really hungry, barefoot And ragged ? Barras. Yes. Some had scarcely rags to cover them ! Josephine. How read his proclamation ? Tell me, truly ! Barras. " Soldiers : You are hungry, naked, shoe- less! Across those Alps are fertile fields, rich towns ACT FIRST 21 And provinces, prosperity, abundance ; Follow me and they are yours ! " Josephine. The falcon hardly strikes his prey more swiftly Than he those Austrians ! What were those rules Of war he violated ? Barras. Sometimes he marched before the sun was up. Josephine. (Scornfully.) How could he be so cruel ? Barras. He was so young, precipitate. Josephine. The crime of Youth ! He will out- grow it ! What else ? Barras. Sometimes he fought before they'd break- fasted . , . Josephine. Cruelty incarnate ! Barras. He took their baggage ; took their finery And laces ! Josephine. Worse and more of it ! Barras. His sword was like the lightning! Josephine. And like that fertile scimitar of Sala- din, Could slice a feather floating in the air Or cleave an iron bar . . . Barras. And like the Afric Monarch's trunk, which lifts A needle or tears up a tree. [They continue their conversation on the side of the stage. Mtjrat and Caroline come in. 22 NAPOLEON Murat. Your brother has eclipsed my hopes ! Caroline. You knew him ere he went to Italy ? Murat. Oh, yes ! We've often broke the bread of hope And poverty together ! Caroline. Before or since we sisters came to Paris ? Murat. At Madame Angot's, on Saint Honore, When Fortune smiled a sickly smile And eked out scanty sous. Caroline. This transformation seems a dream ; but not, I know, to him. When we were children, playing Within our sea-girt realm of Corsica, His wooden sword, 'twas Alexander's sword, And I was Alexander's Queen, Roxana. Murat. The child was god-sire of the man. [They continue their conversation on the side of the stage. Talleyrand and Pauline come in. Pauline. My brother had no right in Genoa ? Talleyrand. Kone save necessity ! For Genoa Was neutral ground. But Austria's eagle perched Across the Alps, meanwhile, sharpening his beak. There is no law of nations. Conference Has made no law defining nations' rights. 'Tis true that Grotius, yes, and others, too, Have forged great principles, forged bands of steel To hold great states in sweet accord ; and true Old precedents hold sway, as sovereign essence. ACT FIRST 23 But these are garments cut for single use: And no states jet have been created twins. Self-interest it is that governs them, And Might is always sovereign arbiter. Pauline. ^Necessity ? Was that sufficient warrant ? Talleyrand. What's Genoa ? A wart upon the thigh Of Italy ! Let him protest who dares ! When Genoa's great son, the great Columbus, Balanced that egg that fools were playing with lie broke the egg to do it. Macedon Untied the Gordian Knot by cutting it. Pauline. Did Austria protest ? Talleyrand. 'Twas idle wind that whistled round a castle ! The guns of Lodi and of Areola Soon drowned her wails, although she cracked her cheeks With bellowings. [Here Louis Bonaparte and Hoetense and Eu- gene come dancing in, waving little tricolor flags and shouting " Vive , La France ! " " Vive General Bonaparte I " Eugene. When's General Carnot coming, mama ? Josephine. Very soon, I hope, my dears. Hortense. (To Barras.) Why, uncle, does not General Carnot come? Barras. He's at the Ministry. Dispatches came From General Bonaparte in Italy About a treaty sealed with Austria At Campo Formio. 24 NAPOLEON Horiense. He promised to dance the minuet with me. Here are musicians, and I too am ready. Please send a messenger and toll him to make haste. Tell him Hortense is waitinc;. Barras. {To JosEniiNE.) When Ajax lays his armor off, puts on The panoply of peace and hies him home, The Directory will give a gorgeous fete Here in the palace of the Luxembourg. All Paris will be here. Josephine. 'TAvill be a glorious spectacle, and worthy To rank with Roman triumphs. Barras. May I present to you the conqueror? Josephine. Most gladly would I know him, for my children Are always singing of his victories. [The minuet begins. While it is in progress Car- NOT eomes in. The danee hreal's off and all run to meet him, lead him down front, where all gather round to hear the news. Camot. A treaty hatched with Austria gives France Belgium, Ionia, Sardinia ; And Northern Italy is now one state Yclept Republic Cisalpine, ally Of ours; and old Liguria becomes Republican, with Genoa its head. On eighteen battle-fields has Austrian pride itissed our Republic's feet ; dear France ACT FIRST 25 Is over-lord of Northern Italy ; The boundary of France is now the Rhine As in our glorious past, [Enthvsiasm,, with the waving of flags by the chil- dren and handkerchiefs hy the ladies, a/nd shouts of " Vive General Bonaparte ! " " Vive La France ! " 26 NAPOLEON ACT II Scene I Austerlitz and After The Imperial Garden at Schonhrunn. The garden shows its terraces at the back of the stage and, a clump of trees on the side. EuGENE;, eight years older than when ive last saw him, comes on the stage with a packet in his hand he has brought post-haste from Paris. Eugene. So this is Sclionbrnnn ! Still as is Sahara ! No voice awakes its echoes save the rooks And hooded owls, — grim ghosts of faded splendors ! The King has fled, and conrt, this ancient palace Of those Caesars, - — lieirs of Charlemagne, — Their ears have heard the guns of Ansterlitz, — Rolled np their tents, and vanished, bag and baggage. I've messages from Talleyrand ; have ridden Post-haste; for time was more than horse-flesh. Napoleon must be here ere long. [Noise of horses is heard, rattle of spurs and sabres, and. of men dismounting. Mukat comes in with three or four of his staff, all covered irith mud from a hard ride. Murat. Well, boys, 'tis here we camp to-night! 'Tis better ACT SECOND 27 Than bivouacking on the frozen ground, Toasting our toes on ice. IIow still 'tis here ! 'Tis darkest Egypt, with no Mamelukes; Throw out your scouts and phice your sentinels ! The Emperor is here within the hour. An Officer. We use these stables, grain and prov- ender ? Murat. Use anything, use everything! They're ours ! Are they not good enough ? Officer. Oh, yes, they'll do. Murat. But none too good for us! They were the Csesar's, — His plunder, and now ours : — the chance of War. Eugene. {Saluting.) Good evening, Marshal Murat. Murat. Eugene! Why, is this you, my boy? And where did you come from ? Eugene. From Paris. Messages from Talleyrand ! Murat. How is dear Paris ? Saint Honore ? Eugene. In love with you as 'twas three months ago. Murat. 'Tis Paradise ! Vienna's no more like her That Saint Antoine is like to Saint Germain, And Paris will be glad to see us ? Eh ? Eugene. Quite overjoyed. Where have you come from now ? Murat. We hail from Austerlitz! Eugene. How far away ? Murat. A hundred miles. Papa, the Emperor, Sent on my cavalry, scouting, scQuring ; ^ NAPOLEON But Dutchmen were like cabbages in Cairo, — They scud like sheep before a winter's wind. Eugene. 'Twas hot at Austerlitz ? Murat. Hot? Yes, 'twas Hell with all its furnaces ablaze ! That was a battle for the gods to see ; Great Caesar would have had his bellj-full, And Alexander would have sighed no more. 'Twas pigsticking, my boy! And Austrians And Russians were like chaff before a fire. The Emperor by his manceuvering Had trapped the silly mokes as we bag foxes Among the trees of Fontainebleau. Eugene. I'd given a year of life had I been there ! They must have thought their teeth were breaking flint. Murat. That day at Austerlitz was worth, to him Whose meat and drink is battle-smoke, who loves The shock of squadrons and the victor's cheers, A lifetime, idled like a popinjay In camps, musing on buttons, dress parades. Deportment, and the smiles of love-sick maids. Eugene. And think of me, poor devil, tying tape And drinking ink and counting gims and noses. Hived in a soldiers' nursery in Paris, While you were driving Glory's chariot-wheels Upon the slopes of high Olympus ! Murat. Be patient, boy ! Your father has, T know, A glorious task for you in Italy. The Emperor ! [The distani noise of carriage-wheels. ACT SECOND 29 Eugene. His strategy was wonderful ? Murat. He never was more truly God of War Than on that day. Ere yet the Dawn was up He reconnoitred — 'tis his wont — along Our battle-front, muffled, riding " Old Marengo " ; The grenadiers — he calls them his " Mustaches " — Discovered him, and cheered ; reminding him It was his coronation-day. Their cheers Awoke the camp and set the camp-fires blazing Till day was jubilant with flames and shouts. . . . Eugene. 'Twas so when great Achilles rode along The Grecian battle-front ! Murat. A heavy mist concealed the two Kings' camps, But with the sun — that sun of Austerlitz ! — The mist took wings as thieves skulk off As soon as daylight comes. Eugene. At first the fight was adverse? Murat. So say our enemies ! They never saw — Poor fools ! — the snare the cunning fowler set. Two nations and two Kings were swallowed up In that engulfing maelstrom's rage. Two months ago we sat around Boulogne While Nelson's sleuth-hounds scoured the Channel seas. All Europe is the tail of England's kite; 'Tis England's gold that feeds their furnaces. [The noise of carriage-wheels arriving. Eugene. The Emperor ! [Napoleon comes in, wearing his familiar gray travelling-coat, and embraces Eugene. 30 NAPOLEON Napoleon. M_v son! When tlid von roacli Vienna? Eugene. An lunir ago. Napoleon. Von oanio diroet from Paris ? Eutjene. Witli niossaiios from Tallovraml. Napoleon. \{>uv nictlu'r, is slio well and happy? Eugene. lla]>py, bnt anxicnis. Sire. Napoleon. Has slie not heard of Ulm ? Eugene. Tlial niad(> hev \evy ha]i]\v. Napoleo)!. SiiuH^ tluMi slug's heard of Austerlitz: I sent a niesseniivr that very niglit. "Well, brother, how does this ]daeo snit tlie Sou Of Aleibiades ? ^ Mural. A pnMty plae(\ Avell-named ; bnt not Saint Clond, Versailles or h\ni(aineblea\i ! Napoleon. iMj^ht y(\irs aao Ave nui2,ht have been at Selionbrnnn. When fiiihtinji' \\]i from Ttalv. Mural. Stojiped bv tlu^ soldiers' bniibear — armis- tice ! Napoleon. 'Twert^ b(>fter so; we eonhl afford to wait : Yon were not \hcn a Prince, nor "svas T then An Kmperor. Pe marslnil of the palace; Station yonr ji'mirds, and carefnlly! ^fural. Yes, Sire. [ "^^^KAT goes out. Napoleon. Kng'ene, yonr hitters and dispatches! Go And see tlie imperial chandlers. Eugene. Yes, Sire. [Eugene goes out. Xapoi.eon ivalks ahouf medi- ACT SE(;OND 31 tatively with his hands behind h.is back, as was his wonl. The shades uf evening are coming on and presenlli/ I he moon comes up. Napoleon. And this is Scliuiibrunn ! 'Twus two weeks ago The Sun of Austerlitz dispelled the clouds That nightmare-like had veiled the face; of Europe. That sun! ft may he 'twill onlshirK! Pharsalia! Less than a month ago we were at Ulm ; Two moons have dawned since, camj)ing at Tjoulogne, We cast our greedy eyes on P]ngland's cliffs, Waiting for Villeneuve to hoodwink Nelson. "J'hat gr(^yh fojir of /A'plivrs. TtTius of jtciico \V»' iiiusi vlist'uss. DisiMiss ^ No. uol discut^sl l>i(l M.irtNlou. Aflu'lji IxMUi;- wdii. Minius iiiul !ill TtM-sin ou tlu'ir kuocs. hisouss ^ His liMMus \\o juniu^l u\)ou his swoixl I \\ i(ii Austria upon her Kikmn a suppliant, 'V\\o Kussiau I'x-ar has lost his }ip[H>lilt^ For war a nil loiiiis (o hilxM-nnto at lioino. I //(• sits iloirn on a lu ncli and bcifins lo oprn his IvHcrs and disiHilclus : al firs! {fuit'tlif and aftt'nrards iriih evident txcittincnt. At rrat*ali:;!U' ! 'Two wtvks Miii^ ! lloth b'nMU'h Ami Spanish sipunlrons sunk ! A holocausj 1 Now, l''alo*s \\\ovc cvuc\ than slug's wont io bo 1 Hut \ illon(Mi\o n»^vtM* was Lord Nol,son's ui:ik*h; 1 i'jUKhI liini I'oward; bottor oaHoil liini fool; \ViM-(> I livoal .lovt' hiinsi^lt", and onmiprosiMit, This liad not btuMi. A ,KM\ah ou tho sons! Ciroat .lulins w:»s u\oro fortunalo »{ soa. I Rcadiiuj further. What I Nolson doail v Ami iload upon tlu^ lu^KH Tho ii'ro:)(ost oovsair ovor trod a doi'k ! liivo n»o a No1svm\ and tho world is u\ino; IM v>p«Mi it as lish»M-s opou olams. Tho OontiiuMit is now my battlo tioKl V\>r l>ritaiu's 1\>rtrosso»l bv lu^r w»hh1ou walls, rim. Trafalirar has answortvl. althouirh throo And thirty thousand walktnl biM)(\-ith tho voko. ACT SKCONI) '1 }j';ir ?Xiiiir<: the I'yrnrfndn I>iibU;d me " The Kin(( of Fire" In fr^-zmio/] f<:'ar; When Xelnon'H Hf^irit findn KlyHiurn, <';re!;f. Hjjnnihal, Old O'art.hag^e'H " K'tin/ s. rnissi.'i riMiu's willi siuiU's, jiml not with t'nnv us. Tilt* t'oviM- in litM' \ (li'jislii" nu^lii*iiu's. 'V\\c h;nnl That Austria hoM mU is lunv A shrivolUni skoh'tini, and I'rnsvsia l>rini:;s An i^livo branoh, and no( a swiM-d. | I'lui/ (-tnhnu't'. AtipoU'on. 'V\\c ttMMus wliii'h 1 dtMuand. von know i JltUitjU'if:. l''iill woU. And o({ \\\c^c hoiw^ o\' con trovtM'sv llav»> Ih\mi u'row lod ov(M- in our I'haiu'olliMMtvs. A<»/)(>/('()». {^tit'dditKj the term-s of the treat t/ which Tai I KVK.VM> has st'nt him.) Your jnuts aro somUmI 'gain-'^t iMiglaiid's oon\nuM-i't\ I 11 Ai i;wi r.', osstnfs. In wars, otTonsivo and lirtiMisivr, Prussia Will Iv tho allv t^f Kraui'o. | //(• dsscnts. Uoth riovos and Nouohatol Indoni;- to Kram-o. [ llr (U'iiit'niii. And Hanovor — tho rradlo of tho linolphs ; AT\d lovod as lM\>;land's roval hon\o ! — is vours. A bittor oud tor I'^njiiish jaws to ohow I IhiUijwHe. You drivo tho kuit\^ uv> noar tho hoart, 1 foar. Napoleon. Alavbo. Tlio lion is tho Ivai^lo's t\v ; Srtfo in his island don. wo aro his prov ; Ho must Iv pijji^Hi. llainjtrit:. W"\\\ ho not turn and rouvl von ? Napoleon, llo's always nMuliui^ns. Ho always will. t^nglaud is onvious it" I stn^ke a cat I AC']' SKCOXD 41 If fhjSH \mti;f ()vcr \/)U'\<)f\ 'fJK my fault! Lik*- .ioHfiua, 1 MfJ t.ho «ijn Htarid «till ! Who fjan no (;Uf:ffi'i';H lian liv<-d in vain. I/av/jvnlz. Is Fortune not a fickU^ f\n(7(ji, i\\\'A f{\}ft('.n Yo\i court? A fairy grniling at thr? Hunmtf JiUt whr-rj tho dawn light/H up thf? ftuHUtrn hilJH V'ornitin^^ h«^;r 8pit^; upon hor f-/,nr\/i(-rii'i A gay (•/><\\i<)m the heavient artJllery, N ajioU'jm. And th^^i have U^;n and nhall Fk; oufhI flav/iw'dz. Another eoalition you've destroyed, f'^ut will not Fngland brew a fifth ^ N ajK )[(',( m. Ah Hure a« de«tiny! Another year Will find her fingers weaving prolden webn To eat/rh thes^; p'^K^r and pfjnny-hunting KingK. f'he \>roUK'/>[ ! I Ifandiruj hirn, (he Irenty. IIay/jv)Uz. Your term« are hands of at/;el, though hands are filovoA With gilken gauntlets. f rA-et/ ««iyn feoiffe copies. Napolbo.v Jw/n/h ooa to IfAUowr/z, 7/;Ao ^>07y;« an// reliren. \/)rderly enter h. Orderly. Prince Mctt/jmieh, Napoleon. ]j-x him anUtr. f \f KTTKri.vfCH eoroAH in. Mettemich. Here is the prot/K-/jl. IV>th f>nj[>erorft 42 NAPOLEON Have signed and sealed it with their signet-rings. Napoleon. The clouds have fled ! All Europe is at peace ! [Metternich goes out. That Devil, War, now rests his groaning wheels. No longer will the Furies drive his car ; Grim Famine rides, thin, gaunt, cadaverous, And Pestilence, all leprous, spotted, pock-marked, — Those triplets spewed from out the mouth of Hell K^ow Peace and Plenty, Joy shall mount the car And deck it with green garlands, sheaves of grain. And scatter blessings o'er a smiling land. [/?ere prome^iaders, glimpses of whom have been occasionally caught as they walked in the gar den, come in. A waltz is struck up by musi- cians luho are hidden in the shrubbery, and a ivaltz is danced by French, Austrian and Russian officers with ladies dressed in the cos- tume of the Empire. Eugene and Marie Louise, now a girl of sixteen, and afterwards Napoleon's Empress, lead the waltz. After it begins Napoleon goes out. ^ Marie Louise. How Joy and Merriment abound When War's alarms no longer sound. . . . Eugene. And Peace climbs up to Heavenly Heights Of pure and innocent delights. . . . Marie Louise. And Care no longer loads our feet; And Pleasure takes the Muse's seat. . . . Eugene. And Love, the charm of every home. Greets man and maid where'er they roam. . . . ACT SECOND 43 Marie Louise. And Furies hie away the sprites Onoe haunted tired soldiers' nights. . . . Eugene. And dry the weeping maiden's eyes And soothe her heartaches, still her sighs ! Marie Louise. Is not the waltz a charming dance ? Eugene. Yes ; we must take its charms to France ! Marie Louise. A gipsy gave it to Brussels Some months ago, my Fairy tells, And we all love its mystic spells As lovers love their wedding-bells ! Eugene. From here to Paris, it must go To lure Terpsichore's light toe And wake the sleeping Allegro; Make wine and mirth and music flow. Marie Louise. When go you home? jSTot soon, I hope! Eugene. I fear another moon will find us hence. Maine Louise. Vienna has so many charms when Peace Can shower her sunshine on our lovely streets. Eugene. I will return so gladly when I can: This life of camps and barracks has few joys For one who hates dull drills and stale parades. It has no joys can match the sweet delights Have made the air of Schonbrunn musical : — Sweet hours amid her bowers and sparkling springs, Her velvet terraces and sylvan shades ; Elixir-drinking from each fleeting breeze And weaving garlands for her Maiden-Queen. 44 NAPOLEON ACT III Scene I A pavilion on the shores of the Baltic near Tilsit. The Czar awaiting Napoleon. The compact with Russia, made in 1801, after the hat- ties of Jena and Friedland. Czar. Routed at Friedland ! Now Invasion threat- ens; And Moscow's breast is bare to ravishers. Those French are fiends ! It was Marengo's day ; Its memories gave them hearts of fire: Nothing can stay the genius of Napoleon ; 'Tis Hannibal again, or Scipio come To earth to strangle us with tiger claws, And turn the Slav to vassal of the Celt. Invincible ! We are but shuttlecocks, And he our battledore ; the Gorgon's toy ! He never had to learn war's secrets. No ! They were his mother's milk ; the Genie's gift. He scarce had donned his toga ere he played With Austria, as 'twere some game of chess; At thirty-six won Austerlitz, two years Ago. Now Jena, Eylau, Friedland make Prussia his serf, a cringing mendicant. Begging for life, her King a fugitive. Shall he be scourged like Adam from his realm? ACT THIRD 45 And feed on husks ? And haunt the barren moors Of Brandenburg ? A King without a crown ? Ah, War, Kings' game ! 'Tis Kings of men, not Kings Of pulp, should play. Fools ! Fools we Emperors were, Deluded by the golden calf ! The pelf Of England led us into this black bog. The Romanoff must sue for peace and pay The price this Jew demands, or stake his crown! Another Attila and Scourge of Man ! Berlin threw wide her gates with loud acclaims ; And now he knocks at Russia's western portal And will not be gainsayed. 'Tis peace, the peace The beggar craves ; this is a Czar's reward For yielding to the tempter's siren voice. And madly dreaming that old Ocean's tide Could be swept back with brooms. [A boat approaches manned hy French soldiers and with the tricolor at its stern, from which Napoleon alights. A single French, a single Russian sentinel is put on guard at the tent to keep any one from overhearing the conver- sation. Welcome, Sire ! Thrice welcome ! 'Tis not the spacious palace where the Czar Of Russia should receive the Emperor Of France. Napoleon. Our trysting-place is little moment! Where The Eastern Emperor receives his guests, E'en though a raft afloat upon the Niemen, 46 NAPOLEON Is like MacGregor's scat and Scotland's throne. Czar. The purpose of our meeting- sanctities it. Napoh'Ofu Then clasp we regal hands of friendship, strike A tirui alliance 'gainst a common foe. Czar. 1 hate those English as do you. Napoleon. Then peace has been concluded! [They embrace. Berlin 'twas fulminated my decree And sealed her ports against the world and locked Her ships within their dens to rage and rot ; Whate'er her sea-wolves bear is contraband, The prey of ]urates and the spoil of war. Czar. This policy of yoiirs has my ukase! But she blockades your ]xn-ts. NapoJcoii. My Roland for her Oliver decrees Starvation's punishment for every hand Is soiled with English merchandise. Czar. Can paper precepts win that war? Napoleon. All Europe's sea-dog-s, too, must lend a hand And strangle this Chimera, with the rope Of coalition which she twists so well. Czar. Will all the Continental sovereigns help us ? NapoIeo)i. Yes, five are sure. Our swords we'll hang aloft, Which, like that cross of Charlemagne blazoned Across the sky, will terrify, if statecraft Avail us not. Czar. And will not Albion relent, throw^ up ACT THIRD 47 The spoiigo, give uj) the fight ? . . . Napoleon. Nothing will turn the edge of her fierce |)urj)OHe: The Jiiou, driven to hay, has ten tinies more Of courage. Czar. Not sue for peace ? Napoleon. Twice have I offered it in vain. Czar. Twice offered it ? Napoleon. Twice have I written to King George; twice asked That we no longer stem these seas of hlood. Czar. And with what answer? Napoleon. None. Czar. None ? Napoleon. None ! Czar. But gentle Courtesy decreed some answer! Napoleon. Aye ! So I thonght ; hut lived to learn a Brunswick Owes no such cousinship to Bonapartes; A Secretary sent a Spartan snarl, No, flung dejiial straight at Talleyrand. Czar. Madmen would show more wit; such imhe- ciles Are worse than mad; they're Wisdom's criminals! What was your answer? Napoleon. How could I answer such contempt ? Czar. One way, one only. Napoleon. And this I did. Marengo answered one; The other drank the gall of Austerlitz. Czar. 'Twas thunder to a baby's rattle! 48 NAl'OLKON .\ apolvon, riuM'o is no nuilii't* in niv t'nnnon's voico ; No nuilii't^ in uiv st!»(»H'r;ilt sni'h ns Iniwils Anil favvu-ittV'^ \\:\\c nsv^l to primo llu>ir nuns. Wo Kiu<;s who lioar :in oinpiio on onr bnoks I.ivo in !Ui :iir without tho tiiint o( tnalioo. A Ciixorito's rovoui^o is liko \\\c hroath Thnt tlltors throns-Ji ;» Lilliputian':^ mind. On w ith (ho troatv I rarlanovs to ilav Must vloal with Trussia. Shall sho havo a Kini;:, Ov shall luM- King; bo Lord of nraiulouburii'. Auvl Uvir a sooptro strict o\' sovoiviii'uty { Czar. Morov's tlu> t'airost ohiKl ot" Statoorafl. Vos, "Pis Wisdom's t'osttM* i-hihl ; it binds with oords 0( silk; it hoals War's wounds; 'lis sootliiui:; balm For fostorinjv Prido; it niaki^s a t*o(> a t'riotul ; 'Twas tho briiiht j(>wi>l in ^ri^at r:rsar's orown. This King was \ny ally, an^l 1 would woU Hospoak your t*a\or; \'ov. whon Llni's liroat oartlniuako Shook both onr thronos. to Krodorii'k's tomb, Lod by swoot Prussia's boautt\nis Qiu>ou. wo wont ; Ami ihoro by Midniu,ht's tliokoriniv ti^roh wo sworo. Ami vM» tho sword of Loutlion's oouquon.u', To Invast top>tluM- your l-Av-alibar. 'I'ho storms havo wrookod him on a barron ooast. His barv]uo a }u-oy to Folly's ra. II<-- ■.'/hh no oracU; ; A koKJjf-r, not a Hago ; urxJ jn;i'J for farn';. I If hnf n;f>ijilf, wliat Folly ha'J torn down, l>r-.-if.roy(;<| a Htato that \i(: might rccrcixUi it. Who ra//!H to rebuild Ih WiH'Jorn'H baHtarfl mn. 'Ill': forifjijc-t-; of groat Ma': our Hclicina. Czar. Agrf;<;d I And let it meet at Erfurt. Napoleon. And nov/ f take my leave. .\'o brighter day Han eve-r dav/ned for lx>th our erripiren. f 77t^r// 'oleon, To try if Magdeburg caiuiot he saved; This for a cradle for our children. Czar. And at your audiiMu-e remember tliis: Napoleon's heart is tlesh and hlood ; at times Tears are no strangers to his cheeks. Ambition Is the Chimera rules his days and nights; His blood is Southern and like Southern wines, 'Tis red \Yith sunshine and aglow with lire; His eyes are blu(\ hair brown, and face is ruddy. But Talleyrand is steel. Beware of him! Forget not you are at the knees of Genius. Queen Louise. How have we fallen from the dizzy height ACT THIRD Of former glories to grovel in this mire! A leafless oak, and prone ! A scorn and byword ! Pity and contempt, that legacy of woe, Is all our chihiren can inherit. Czar. Though sad your lot, it might be worse; your crown Is left. This boon I begged. 'Tis better far Than simple Duke of l^randenburg. Queen Louise. And had it come to that? Czar. I fear it had. 'Twere charity to think so. The Berlinese Xapoleon's progress strewed With flowers; hosannas greeted him whene'er They saw him at your palace windows. Queen Louise. Yet once they loved their King! Czar. And they do now ; 'tis but a fleeting fancy ; They greet the rising, scorn the setting sun; Hopes of a Constitution gleam, 'tis said, Before their eyes. Fritz. And they should have one, mother, were I King. Qu£en Louise. And so your father thinks, my son. I've heard Him say the same a dozen times. Czar. But these affairs of state have serious import ; The weeds of Revolution — Columbia's gift To Europe — these may grow so tall and rank As choke the seeds of royalty. Our thrones Are standing on a crumbling precipice; Unless we guy them well with ropes, support Their fainting sides with hearts of oak, I fear 56 NAPOLEON We fall in that abyss of Anarchy. I Lightning occasionally. Queen Louise. Another kingdom gone ! All swal- hnvetl uj) In one remorseless maw ! One man alone Owns all the land from Elbe to far Gibraltar. When on our journey here we stopped to rest Our jaded horses at a roadside inn, My Willie here went to the fields and picked Some flowers. " You wear no jewels now ; wear these," He said. 1 made a corn-bloom wreath of them And placed it on his head, and said I feared 'Twas all the crown he'd ever wear. Czar. I hope no echo of what-is-to-be ! Prince ^Vi^iam. But, mother dear, that very night I had a dream, That very night you uuide the cm-u-bloom wreath. Queen Louise. And still remember it ? Trince William. Indeed I do I And may I tell it you ? Queen Louise. Your Majesty, and may he tell his dream ? 'Twill comfort him, may comfort all of us. Czar. Yes, certainly. Come sit here on my knee, My boy, and tell it us. [Prince William goes and stands beside the Czar. Prince }yiUiani. That night, while lying in my bed asleep, Or half-asleep, T saw a gray-haired man, — ACT THIRD 57 He looked like ine, as I might look grown old, — In some great hall where all the walls were mirrors. This gray-haired man stood on a sort of dais, — 'Tuas not in Prussia, but some foreign land ! — The hall was full of soldiers, helmeted; Thej looked like soldiers of our Fatherland ; And at the word — the words I heard were German — They raised their gleaming swords high, overhead, And swore that he should be their Emperor And they would vaunt his title 'gainst the world. Two men, — they stood in front, — it seemed to me, Were leaders of the band ; and one of them Was thin and pale and eagle-beaked, a soldier. The other was a giant, mountain-browed ; A man of blood and iron ; eyes like burning coals Which shoot forth flames and scorch his enemies; He looked the picture of Olympian Jove ; 'TM-as he who called the old man. Emperor. Three times they cheered, Hoch ! Hoch ! Hoch ! [/I long silence enswes, during vjhich the Queen calls Willie to her side and kisses and fondles him. Queen Louise. Our dreams are fictions Sleepy Fancy weaves. Czar. Sometimes our dreams cast shadows on be- fore. In Holy Writ God spake through Samuel And told the child that Eli's sons should die. [Thunder and lightning. An Officer knocks and enters. 58 NAPOLEON Officer. Your Majesty, a storm is brewing; the sea Ix)oks angrv, and the C^iptaiii thinks the ship Too near tlie shore. Czar. Then I had better go at once. 1 hope Yonr Majesty will pardon me for bringing Cassandra's face with nie. Queen Louise. Cassandra's heart was hea\^, and she spoke Her sorrow with sweet sympathy. Czar. The wish for bettcr-days-to-comc I leave With you. Farewell ! [Kisses her hand and kisses the children and goes out. The Queen goes to the irindow and looks out. Queen Louise. The clouds hang heavy and the sea is beaten To whirlpools. [She resumes her seat at the table and calls her children to her, embraces them, stroking their heads, apparenflif dejected. Night spreads her raven wings ! My heart is broke ! Dear Prussia is Pompeii ! Hopes are ashes ! The sun will never shine again Avithin my heart! I am not Avell, my boys. Ere long your mother Will lav her heart in sweet Charlottenburg. I was not made to act Theresa's part ; Not all are Poman n\atrons ; some are flowers That bloom in sunsliine, wither in the shade. Come close, my boys ! My Eritz, my Willie, hear A dying mother's words and treasure them. ACT THIRD 59 To Prussia and lier army and her glory Devote yourselves. Your lives belong to her. A phantom now ; but phantom still has breath. Build up her army; fill her treasury. It may be you can conquer back from France The darkened glories of your ancestors. Weep for your Fatherland ! Weep not for me ! Be men ! Be Kings ! Restore the Fatherland ! [She falls in a swoon and the boys kneel down beside her. Scene III The Congress of Erfurt Time, October, 1S08. Place, the nave of the Cathedral at Erfurt. A dais stands at the angle of the nave and transept, with seats set for Xapoleoin^ and Alex- ander. The walls are hung ivlth tapestries ; every- thing arranged for a royal pageant. Talleyrand and Xey come on the stage. The Cathedral is dark- ened and brilliantly lighted to show off the gorgeous costumes. Perhaps the March from " Tannhiiuser " could be used when the procession comes in, although not yet written. Talleyrand. This day is big with fate and circum- stance For France. Here all of Germany has come To seal the peace of Tilsit ; prove their faith. 60 NAPOLEON And loyalty. And liussia meets us here In conference, and ratifies her new-born Alliance. Sovereign Princes of the Rhine, The Prince of Prussia and four reigning Kings, Bavaria and Phine-swept Wiirtemberg, And Saxony and newly crowned Westphalia, Grand Dukes galore, and Princes by the score. And marshals, generals, and counts and statesmen, All these, with all the pageantry their courts Can boast, have held for clays high carnival, l^ow Erfurt rivals Fontainebleau in the years When our gay monarch, Francis, made the welkin Ring with the pomp and glory of fair dames And gorgeous cavaliers. Ney. Soon shall the clock ring out the joyous hour When this cathedral, built for prayers and worship. Casts ofF the habiliments of sanctity, And dons the coronation robes. Talleyrand. As mayor of the palace, chamberlain. To-day all ceremonies wait your bidding. Is all prepared ? Knows every one his entrances And station ? Ney. As time permitted. Chance and every man's Good taste and sense of fitness, here as elsewhere. Must govern circumstance. Talleyrand. Now War lays off the helmet and cuirass. And puts on ermine and the robes of state ; The courtier dons his plumage, smiles and bows, And makes the Court of Love his battle-field : ACT THIRD 61 The maiden courtesies, and from her glancing Eyes shoots her arrows, sharper, deadlier, Than even merry Robin Hood could throw. Ney. You've had your conquests in the Court of Love, I hear it said in Paris. Talleyrand. Few victories, but many agonies ! Ney. Diplomacy knows subtile flatteries And courtly graces soldiers never know. Talleyrand. Bludgeons for heads ! Rapiers for hearts ! Blunt words And catapults are kin. But gentle manners, Sweet words and grace in saying them, and tact In choosing, are the honeys of Hyrnettus. [The Cathedral clock strikes ten. Ney. The clock strikes ten. Here come our first arrivals. [The Usher comes forward. Usher. (Announces.) The Marshals of France. [Several Marshals of France come from the tran- septs, dressed in the costumes of the Empire, and arrange themselves around the Imll, hut the Marshals who are the " Pillars of the Throne" take their places at the foot of the dais. The Princes of the Confederation of the Rhine. The Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar. [Goethe, the German poet, who ivas the Prime Minister of the Grand Duke for forty years, follows the Grand Duke. 62 NAPOLEON JSiCy. {To Tai,i,kykano.) Who is that who looks some drec'iau god ^ TaUeyiand. Ooetho, the }hh>1 ! Tho Duke's Prime Minister. Ney. 'Twas he wrote " Faust " l Talleyrand. Ami mauv plays and books. Nvy. If met bv ehance at night beneath a bridge, While sivkiug shelter from a storui, 1 well had known That man was one of Nature's noblemen. Talliyrand. Ciod never puts a [>igmy mind in sueh a mould. 1 must go speak with him. [Talleyrand ()oes up to Goktuk and cnffrs into cont't'i'safion with him. Usher. {Announces.) The Ouke of Hesse- Darm- stadt. The Duke of Saxe-Gotha. The Duke of Oldenburg. The Duke of Meekleuburg-Strelitz. The Duke of ]\reeklenburg-Sehwerin. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Baden. Joseph Bonaparte, King of Wiirtemberg. Ludwig, King of Bavaria. Augiistus, King of Saxony and Poland. Jerome Bonaparte, King of Westphalia. William, Prinee of Prussia. Ney. {To Tai,t.eykaxi>, who has returned to the front of the stage.) Who are those with Prussia ? Tallei/rand. The Barons von Humboldt. ACT THIRD 03 Usher. {Announces.) The Czar of all tho Kiissia.s. [Ai/EXANDKR lakes his place on ihe dais. Napoleon, Emperor of P'rance and King of Italy. [Napoleon enlers and ascends Ihe dais. After greeliwj A lexander and bowing to the assem- bled Kings, l^rlnces and the rest, both take their seats on the dais, and the Marshals of France, as " Pillars of the 7'hrone," gather about it. Napoleon. Your Majesties, Grand Dukes and au- ^ist, Prlnees : When France and Russia made at Tilsit terms Of peace, they then agreed to meet thereafter And ratify our treaty and alliance, And Prussia then joined hands with them in friendship. The Eastr;rn and the Western Emperors meet Jn Congress here at Erfurt, and join with you, Bavaria and Saxony and Prussia, Westphalia, WiJrtemherg, our royal cousins, And you. Grand Dukes, and Princes of the Rhine, And Dukes of lesser German States, all join In an offensive and defensive compact. The terms have been with patient labor framed. What each in men and money shall contribute, To aid us in onr common enterprise. His Majesty of Austria makes with France A solemn pact ; so Spain ; so Portugal ; The Northern Kings, both Sweden and old Denmark, Are likewise bound to France in firm alliance. We, then, the Continental Powers of Europe, 04 NAIH)LI tour i!;roat seas, (hir troMtios linvo lu-ou si>;iKh1 :uu1 rntilu'd Auil [Uju'ihI j»uu>nu; \\w .'irchiNcs ot c.wU s(:iti>. ()no ni't riMunins. "Pis uioro of t'oriMiionv Tluiu st'voroiii'u oss»mu"o. Thus shall \\i' proi'hiiui, Louilor thau truiupot blasts, to Isurojio's oars. So loud oaoh port and luuulot \u ouv hiuds Shall hoar, this strict iMuhaviro )>hu'0(l on h'ugUuul. Kaiso up vour swoi'ds t>ai'h one aud all. And swoar throo tiuu's vour faithful lovalty 'That uauiiht shall turu us frou\ our pliiihttHJ \vt)rd. |.l// raisr iJtrir sirorJs. aiui sai/ in unison: All. \\\> swoar. Wo s\vi>ar. W(^ swoar. Xapolt'on. 'Vhc iMuporor o{' l-'raui'o has lu>ard your oath ; 'Twill bi^ ri'i'ordod iu lior books of stato. 'V\\v Kiui; of Italy has ht^ird your oath; 'V\\c Kussiau Kuipovor. uiv brother, hoars; Auil all of you havi^ hoard t^ioh other's oaths; So uiay it bo as you havt^ duly sworn ! Now lot \is to our several luuues return .\nd keep this prouiiso treasnrt\l in our hearts. Our work is done. This Ooni2,rt'^s is dissolved. ^^ONv let the trumpets this auiiouneenient make. I Tht' tniniprts sound three times and the asse)iddif departs in the rererse order of their eominij in. .is they pass out T.m i kykano joins (ioi/j jfh and Uf'/y yjalk forward to the front of tlic, hIjkji'. (Jofdhf. You now liavc n;a^'lj''J u [litinafh; of ^lory IV'lipHing r'l/'sar'H (;inj)in;. I'aUeyraiid. This Spanii-Ji war k<-(:\)^, u.s awake of niglilH. Xapolr.'ori'n writ to Sf^ain Uj(; nobloHt army 'J'lui Hun haK hccai, wiUi fla^.s ahl!i/»- with victory. (Joethe. ( Hatiricatly.) An'l Soull. and Xfy l,o l<;a'J tlH;lfi I 'J'atteyrand. An'l yf-t it fnf;lfH liko Known l;f;fon; the Hun. (jof'tlw. lint, thf-y are fnarHlialn, not, ro/n/fian'JerH. liatH An'] rnole.s need eyeH. Not one of all y^ur niar.shalH Can fi^'ht exeept beneath \aj>oleon'K eye. ^J'atleyrund. ft may h'; tru'-. (Joethe. Your house in huilt of Hun-dri^-d briekn. ^J'alleyrawJ. Y'.ur rnoo'l is marry , sir; you Mpeak in jewt. fJoclfif. I '-'Hij'l n'^t jeHt at Hucb a time, when all iVIy I'atherlan'l i;-: sa'l. Tatieyrand. Then you mitttake. 'Jhih empire we liave built \h buttreHHed like thiH temple here. (jOf'the. ThiH \Mn\A(i rivalH g-ranite-, iron-elarnped ; .Men ^'ornf; anr] go; irraHs growH and rivers flow; TfieKe arehoH Htan'l ; an'] from tbr---;e v/indowg' eyes Survev tJje Heen^i tbriy havf; for eenturieH. Talleyrand. But not more firm tban i:-; our empire. 66 NAPOLEON Ooetlic. Not sv\ \ tnir ari-h is i"ri:il>K^; 'twill iTuni- And tuiublo this gront t'abrio on yo\ir lu^inls. 'I\illc}/niHii. It stands on bayonots. Goeiht\ Hut bayoiu'ts oan nrvor stand unlt^ss Hold \\\-> bv arms o{ tlosh and blood. Talh'jfianii. Millions of arms snpport tlioui! (tovthe. lint arms aro powerless unless warm hearths Shall nourish thorn. Tdih'ijrtuuL All Germany is loyal! Hoard yi>u not These oaths i Gocth<\ A oonvii't's oath I The nuMi this side the Khine l.ovt^ th(Mr »nvn hearths and homes, and love themselves Too well \o break a lanee for Fran«.v. exeept — TallcynuhJ. Kxeept i Goctht\ Some Fnry with a tlaming sword shall drive Them into battle. T'alleyrond. Napoleon is the ward of Destiny! Defeat not oniv has perehed upon his banners. iiot'tht'. *Tis true that dove and all his thunder- K>lts Was ne'er mon^ fortunate. And yet this irvxl Has ftvt of elay ; a iytniius wonderful. Not iutinite as his ambition. Tallet/muJ. Xo phnnmet yet has sounded all his depths. Ootihc. The depths of knowledi^\ true, are iutiuite: No single art nor seieneo fathoudt^s : Afi'j iiii-ti will \<:'.in\ KOfri''l,i(ri*-. Iii:-', tri'-k--. of v/ar Afi'l ij.»'. l,h*;iM 'gainnt/ fiiffi;-',<',lf. 'raUryrarul.. HIh j^fjiiuH v/ilj invf.rif, ••.\\tt;r wijf.ff, To ri'-t, 'jiill )){)(»•'! fool-',. fJoc/Ji,/'.. W;ir iH JUi ;jr>,. 'Ti'. ii'>\. ;mi '.i\)',;\.rn<:\, 'r'/:'u:U'f;. In Jjrf, t,})f; kf)Owlo'l^«; rn.ti/ny fucw ]ioy.?.< :■'.•', M«y y';t HurpJiK'j, wfuit om; matt know,".. 'Ihf; roU; Ifif, Hif>yl won:, Ii*t rnyKtift K»J•■, on»; Hiirrifn<;r'H morn, I ftlifri^f:^! a rriountfiin with thr; rlirnhin^ hum. 'I }i»: ro'-k:-., tijf rilln, tli'; 'h'tr, tli>; I;ir'lv. jin'I irc^-.f, Were, wnkin^ frortt l\n'ir HlurnUrrH, Hinfr'tu^^ tnal'ttiH Of joy. Wo rfHchcA far up t.Iir; jriant'H HhouMrrr VVIiftH; two 'If:f'-p vallf;yM join. Our r;yrrH wr;r<; rapt. In w';n'lf;r fif. tijr; awful (vrono. A Hforrn W;iH, ri/iri^. S**on tfifr t.hun'lr-r roiU-yj. 'I hr; ff,r<:-'X 'I rciii\)\(<\ iif)t\ rook«'l. Tfir-rf; carru; a rrar-.h. VV*; naw I'n-.cM, a till frart.Ii, anfj ro^-kx in motion 'jown 'I fi*; rnountairi'H HJfif;, an^l when they reaches] l\it: i/nrp^e, .\jakf; onr; rnafj lr;ap into ihc An-at] aby«?'.. A f.ionfj ■r'.\.r<:»uu-A ijf> an'I float/;'! off; thon all Wa.H H^Wit.ijfl*!, a fjj'iinj.' memory. ,\'ow mark \\\(; HirniU; ! An avalanch<;, VVIif.n ]U:h.vcWh i\iinh of lifx-.rty han i\r<-A Tlif; (fcna'AU hourf, will «uroly <''/>mr;, 'llii", r-.torrn will ri?/-, /Atf-rf; \','^\^'i': rnonrnH for frf^Aom^H Slf!]Kil mo could I think its portents true. Here stands a mighty empire, hewn by the sword; Mightier thiui Charlemagne or Ctesar carved. All govcriunent must rest, no doubt, upon The people's will, — 'tis written in the stars! — In part, at least. A generation new Will grow; forget their former idols; learn To kiss the chast<^ning rod which smote their sires. Here stands a lofty temple. Its columns, base And architrave the hand of Genius raised ; No architect since time began has built In ten short years such strange magnificence. The sun that gilds its dome lights half the world. At mom and eve half Europe turns its eye Towards its pinnacles, as Saracens Turn theirs towards Mecca. Goethe. Your temple stands upon a mountain-top: AC:T third 69 Its grandeur lures all Europe, yes, the world; That mountain's name is A'ltnsi, iEtna! And when She shakes her head and Tliunder's voice awakes, Beware ! Beware, the falling ruins I NAPOLIOON \CV IV Scciw I Ihrlinr (!/*(/ Full of Sapolt-on Time, aiitinnn of IS(H>. .1 stilon in the paltico of Fon taincblcati. .Ioskimunk drcsstui in hlach. Talh'i/ranJ. {f\nfrrs alonr.) Kin^-s' M\inist»M-s sloop \\o{ on hvda oi rosos Anil oluM'iibs faimini;; tluMii with porfuuuHl winijii*; Nor aiv tlioir uii^ht*^ suoli vnptiirous siostas As ilroamiui; luaiilons kmnv in fnirv talos. Tho onros of stato. liko jjluvsts \vho tiovor down, 8it ofton bv tluMV Innlsiilos :ill ihc niixlit, (V oliaso OMoh othor uuully through tlioir brains. A King- wliv nt>t ^ • - ]>rofors his rosos piokod. And lots liis uiinistors onjoy tlio thorns. A monrnfnl busiiioss this! IM rathor battlo With a sooro of stalwart nion than ono frail woman. Hotwixt hor toars ami sniilos. oomvits and wilos, llor innooonoo and oraft, hor soimmi and blnshos, Hor drvH^piniT oyos and sidolonjr. nptnrnod glanoos. To Ho drawn ont \ipoi\ tlio rnok woro hoavon (''oniparod to s\U'li Ivwildorini:: torn\ont ! Pationool J\iV}> silont ! l>o ioo, bnt soon\ liko Niol>o. A^T JOCH/Jif 71 ./oHephinfi. J kfjov/, \'rin';<: '\ alUtyrnwl, yo\ir rnourn- ful rruhhion. J rK;r;rri t/> H'-zj rny cx'jfjut, ion block, Whf;rf;on rny Ij^ja'] rriiiHt lio aH lay the wiv^^^' Of Kn^^larjfJ'H Hf;riry, falling lik<: tho poppicH 0'er-riponf;fJ in the fiun. A Htran^fr pr^H^jntirnfint Of rny fat*; fian h?jijntffj all rny 'ircarnn for wji-mV'a, Driving the liue-; of morning from rny c.hc/iksi. My Krn[;f;ror'H hiinUm liavrj c^-a^fA to ffj*;/] rny fieart With that Hwcct tnnnTiii which in fJayn of yore WaH bread an 'J drink t/> rny enamoured h'>u1. It needed no liandwriting on the v/all 7'o t/rll me that rny ;-;iJn of life had vi\.. TalleyraruL I'ake not thia circurn«tance jk^ rniich t/'j heart, T pray your Majegty. JoHdplune. Take not rny fat/; to heart? Yon never knew '\\i<>Hf: halcyon days of early love, when wordii ])r()]>])(A from rny lover's lips like strings of jtfmrh; When every smile wag like the blushing, sun That shf;«^ls its radiane/j o'er s^jme sleepy dell, Awakening it to glories never dreamed Bfifore ; kissing the dews away ; giving each flower A swefjter perfume and a fairr^ far^. T allay ran/1. No. I have Wfn a hard ascetic, prif^tly Bishop and anchorite. .JoHf'/f)hine. And liJilf of life ha-; U;en an unread b'y>k, Seailed up and bound with iron f-Vdsiml Ambition 72 NAP()LKA>N Uiis its jovs. it .•>iu'li ihi'v ci\\\ he \."a\\cA, \v1um<' i'iM»t<>st Iv-* tl\t^ aim of lil\> ami \ iolorv il.s i-rown ; 'I'ho hoart is soainl. '(is slirivolKHl liko a l>ml Hall jjrow 11. or (>alrii l>v sv>iiir siM'jxmiI worm. No v'liiKlron (iirust tluMr trustiii^i^j ovos hofon> \'o\\v (iu'i\ uov I'lamluM- up vour kiuM^s ami \Ai\co rinnr hoails ai;'aiiist vimr luI Tliost"' jovs woro all tltMiitHl l-'orp>( I riu>so rost\a(o Inios vtm paint. st> woll NnpoltHMi tiovor saw. Imt tain wmiKl sih\ tlosx'phnit'. llo's hail nir/ ohiUinMi. lort\{ tluMu, aiul //»<»/ him. No lovoli^^r has suuiiv I'ranoo i^'or si\mi rii.an mv Kuomio ami uiv UiM'tonso. Wlion wt> Won^ marriotl. in \]w li.appv from Italv. Anil ln\>wiusl with l"'i:Apt's suns, no swi^Mor sons:;}* 0( praiso or (riuinph tliil hiv^ t^ars t>'or lu\ar Than ihoso mv oliiUlivn sane:. .Vla^ilin days! 7'rt//r»/m««/. How woll ho lovos t.lioni. you auil Kratnv know wt^ll. l*'ull oftoi\ has ho spokt^ ti> mo o{ makini:: Ivuiivno iho hoir of all his sovonMpitios. Hut yot tlu\<^o I'hihlnMi aro not his. Jost'phinc. That truth was lone •'» liai^gt^r to mv )»oart ! Oh. ivnUi you know tlu^ toars. tho sv'ahHni^ toars I'vo slu\l wl'.on ho lav fast asUnn^ Ivsi^lo mo! Ah, tViat'K my ttntmA There i» no t^om a womain I>iar« lutarier than thw. 8h/j b5 fcur^r mmioriunf^ 7'alUyraruL XapoUy/a n«ver -rj^jrwiire^ yoii ffW' thw, JofiephiTie. Xor cen«tir; gr*:^ brow Od«! d&rVfnfiA with a itVmA. ToJJ/cyrfjjri/L Yfd ^iy viarti great «?xtravaganoe». J OH^.f/hir^t!,, 'Th true! *Tij> tru/;! And tru/j T am a woman ! \Umifirn\tftr that WVre bird* of ^rzAhfi'j Our feathjr;r« and our fsui*;* are our pride, Our \)^m\iffr\M, countersign* of royalty. You make u« eo. You j>ay your o^/urt to beauty <^>f farjr;, r>f form, of dre«5, of e»^uipage, TTie mind i» but the gem, the dre*« the netting. E'en Cleopatra'* »elf, the fairesst mind The Julian Age e'er «aw in pettiooat«, I/ned all the pomp and panoply of robf«. And gorgipou* «tal^, and splendid retinues, Barg«i and jeireh;, palaef#, and pageantrie«. When «he would lead great C««ar in her train, ^lad Anthony — a lion whiai in battle ! — Threw half of Kome^R great sovereignty away To let her gmootli hi* mane, and be her lap-doj^. 74 NAPOLEON Then, blame me not because I am a woman. Talleyrand. But would you not this dynasty should stand ? Not perish when Napoleon's sands have run ? Josephine. He has Eugene. And he can make my son The heir of all tliis royalty. Faithful He's ever been ; he's of imperial mind. No son was ever loved more worthily. But must the tree be Bonaparte, both root And branch, with nothing grafted ? Take his brothers, Jerome and Joseph, Louis : these are Kings, And by him vested with their purple robes; Nor are they childless. Why is not that law, That Salic Law, — it rules in other courts, In many a land, succession to the crown, — Not good enough for France ? I beg of you, Present these cogent reasons to my lord — My Gracious Majesty, I ought to say, Perhaps, however alien to my tongue. Talleyrand. These are not new inventions, but al- ready Are threadbare platitudes, at court. Josephine. But I am part of all his victories! I held Ambition's ladder while he climbed ; I fitted him for battle, soothed his sorrows, Took his head upon my breast and kissed His woes away. I stilled his battle-fevers When they raged t^o high. When he has come to me With Care, Cassandra-like, upon his brow, ACT FOURTH 75 Or with that awful look of Austerlitz, When mighty schemes disputed mastery, How often have I rooted out the tares And sown the garden with anemones ! You lords of earth ! You little know how frail You are, amenable to pleasantries And sweet cajoleries. Don't tell my husband This. But tell him that Josephine has been, And is, and shall be, while she lives, his wife. Faithful and true, loving and kind. The shadow Of no cloud e'er stood between us since our wed- ding, When he, with glory for his purse, his heart A well-spring of delights and sweet enchantments, Came home from Italy and took us three, My children and myself, to love. Talleyrand. I need not tell him this, for he, the court. All France has learned it as their catechism. Josephine. (Reflecting.) Still ice! The Church cannot our banns annul ! The Holy Father will not. Talleyrand. An imperial decree will do this office. In which the Senate can concur, Josephine. And — this — decree — the — Emperor — will — sign ? Talleyrand. The Cabinet is so advised. [Josephine throws herself on the sofa, and buries her face in her hands, sobbing. After a while she regains her composure. 76 NA1X)L1\vt>ll, (luMi, (o luv liMi>piiu'ss, my I'll ilwt'll at Mnlniaison, in widow's wi'tnls. His f;ico U[n>n luv walls auii in niv li(>art. What s})an o( lifo is \o({. Now all is lost! I'vo K>st niv l.! I'xtMost niv lMn|HM-ov! Oh. niv oiu'o ivinponn"! (uul inii2:lit have niaiio Son\(^ vliMniijod and i;-ift(Hi liini w illi iiraci' Of mind, with swtvt brnviKliM-nuMits, nunv {uWont Vo maki' all nuMi adon\ obtnlicnt. Ami t\>llow I'aptivo at his chariot wh(H>ls, — Hut m^Nor did! I'vi* shinl moiv hitt(M- toars Than that, tall glass contains o( crvstal ilintps. 1 ju^Mn\ llortonso havo wopt with mo, bomoaued My fati\ My sv>n oanio horo fnnu Italy: Napoloon sont for him and bi\srirod him broak To mi^ tho balofnl tiilinijs his s»>ft hoart (\>nUl no\(M- lis)>. - Wo wonhl no{ trnst himsolf. His ontMnios will n\nrdor his ii-innl namo. Men oall him oold ; nion say his hoart is stont^ His mind is liko tlio diammid. ami shinos Vho bri^htost in tho u'lari^ of many n\inds. His hoart is bnt a ohild's. Had this boon lord, And kini2>Hl his lifo. this world had hajipior boon, — And .losophino. Tho onp lio offo rs mo That onp 1*11 ilrink ; not 1 alono: my ohildron And himsolf will drink. All's lost ! ^ly robos of stato. My onnvn, - - a protty banblo now! — my maids And ohamborlain will show yon. Thov aro the st^ate's. My fow romaininji' yoars \u i.\c(\]^ of faith Ar-J- \()\:\i'\\i 77 And chanty Bhall all be H])fiTd. Tell birn, That BhouM tfi'j clouds obs^jure the Hun, Hbould sbadowsj. Adv-f^rnity e'er crohH bis path, t>;]] birn lie known the path to Malrnais'yn ; be knows The necromance unlo<;k« itjj do^^rn. Tell birn Ihat should Horne other quf.en aH<;end biH throne, — JIc crowned rne and he can uncrown rne too, — S<^>rne cbild corne straigbt from Heaven to gladden tbem, The prayerg of Jo8<^;pbine are for all three, For hirn, for hf;r, and for tbeir cbild. farewell I [£';C't7 JOHEPUISE. Scerte IT A'ludria jfArm ihe Alliarice afjairud Napole(/n, Tirfi/i, June 2(j, 181S. i'laca, a fjardc/fi In ihe f/ixUhirtfs of JJrefiden. JiuHHla, PruHHia, Knglaru)., Hyain awl Sweden are alre get there. [METTKKNicfr steps out into the night, and Napo- i,KON looks up at the shy. Napoleon. My star of destiny shines bright to- night. The same star giiidod me at Ansterlitz. Metlcrnich. Adien. Napoleon. Say not adinn, but an revoir ! Your King Will make no war upon his daughter. 88 NAPOLEON ACT V Scene I Time, Monday, October IS, ISIS. ^ P. M. The hattle- field of Leipsic. Third day of the baffle of Leipsic. Since 7 A. M. Na- poleon has been dirccfing fhe battle, most of the time under an old windmill, where the " Napoleon Stein" now stands. But the desertion of the Saxons has called him to fhe village of Schonefeld. He has had little sleep or rest for days; has, as was his custom, eaten little. He realizes his defeat, bid pride has so far kept him from giving the order to retreat. It means the surrender of Germany from the Niemen, on the border of Bussia, to the Bhine. This is the sixth Coalition formed against him, and comprises Bussia, Prussia, Austria, Sweden, Eng- land and Spain. Bavaria, Saxony, and ^Yilrtemherg desert him during the battle; and these countries, with Westphalia and the Confederation of the Bhine, are lost as the result of h is defeat. Thiers says, " This is the greatest battle of which history makes mention," — 350,000 in the allied army, 160,000 in Napo- leon's. The curtain a^ it rises discloses a street in front of the little i7i7i in the village of Schonefeld. A table spread with maps and papers. A couple of chairs, in one of which Napoleon has just fallen asleep. Net and ACT FIFTH 89 MuRAT, with several orderlies with messages, are standing together in respectful silence. Booming of cannon and rattle and whistle of musketry and explo- sion of shells is occasionally heard. The street shows the ravages of battle; houses have marks of shots, a dismantled gun-carnage, castaway muskets, and one or two dead bodies are visible, showing that here, too, there has been a fierce fight. Murat. How well he sleeps ! At seven the battle opened, And now 'tis four; and all these hours he's breasted Four nations and three hundred thousand men With half their number. Last night was all commotion ; The day before, and Saturday, the battle Raged ; many days he's scarcely ate or slept. Ney. Must we not wake him ? Murat. Two thousand cannon shout their mad defi- ance! The voice of tired nature drowns their roar. Ney. But we must wake him ! Murat. He looks so worn ! 'Tis cruelty to waken him; Yet cruelty to let him sleep. Ney. We are surrounded everywhere. A thousand Cannon are vomiting their fury on us. Murat. Yet Saturday a messenger was sent To Paris, with news of victory. Ney. These last two days carve Europe into quar- ters. 90 NAPOLEON Murat. Would he had taken our advice at Dresden ! Six nations turn their ^ins upon us now, And Wclling;ton has reached the Pyrenees. Ney. The time for might-have-beens is past! The present Bristles with danger. Ketreat, retreat towards Paris — This is our only hope against destruction. Murat. Then I will wake him ! (Calls.) Napoleon! Napoleon! \^T ouches liiin. Napoleon. (Waking quicJcly.) Murat! My brother! Can I have been asleep ? Murat. For a little moment only. Napoleon. The horoscope has darkened while I slept, I see it in your faces ! Ney. Bliicher with his Prussians closes on us Towards our northern front, and Bernadotte Has joined liis Swedes on either wing. The Russians And their Cossack cavalry, a^id Austrians Spread like a crescent south and east and west — A general attack seems imminent. Napoleon. Our troops must hold them till the night comes down. Ney. This is impossible. Our centre holds; Our wings are weakening. The Allies are two To one against us ; fresh with reinforcements. Napoleon. How many have we lost ? Ney. Pull fifty thousand lie upon the ground, No covering except the cannon's breath Floating across them like an ocean mist. ACT FIFTH 91 Napoleon. One third are gone! How many have they lost? Ney. As many more at least. Napoleon. A hundred thousand scorching in the sun ! This is the fiercest fight we ever fought. For three long days we've held these hounds at bay. The page of history displays no battle Surpassing this in dignity and fury. A battle of the giants ! Four Emperors Are fighting here for mastery. The stake Is Central Europe ! [J.n officer enters. Officer. Your Majesty, the Saxons have deserted : Full fourteen thousand men have joined the Prussians. Napoleon. What base ingratitude ! I made Au- gustus King of both Saxony and Poland, But he is loyal and his people false. [Another officer enters. Second Officer. Your Majesty, the Wiirtemberger Horse lias joined the Austrians. [Another officer enters. Third Officer. Your Majesty, Bavaria has turned her back upon us. Napoleon. All Germany is slipping through my hands. Bavaria showed me her back at Dresden. The chain which I had hoped to bind them with Is but a rope of air. [Another officer enters. 92 NAPOLIOON Fourth (Officer. Our nrtilliMv is slu>rl of aniuuiui- tioii. .V(J/>i>/fi)M. W'o h;ul two luiiuli(\l llunisnuil loiiiuU, — \\ luMi wo Kit 1 hw-JiloM. //»(' i^/fii-fi: (hir i;iuis \\i\\c liurK\l tli:it ilowii tlio C»orman tliroats I Sup[>lios liavo I'oino trom Main.-, but not oi\ou_i;li. .V(i/it>/{"t»/j, {To MiKAr, fHuinij «/> and lioirn the alt'cet, and affcr lonij lrf^('t'tion.^ lias any inos s«go i'on\t» fiHM»t Austria^ Muml. Wnio. Slro. Xapol('on, Two ui«;l»(s ai;\> 1 sont a Mu>ssaj^\ askins; For an unuistioo aiul i>lToriiii;' oonoossions. Murxit. No auswiM- yot has oomo. XapoliOn, Must wo rotroat towai\ls I'rauot* ' What tliink you. Noy ■. Xty. 1 thiuk wi> must, auil louii' liavo tlioui;ht so. Xapoleon, {To MrKAr.") What says tho Kin^' of Naplos i Mufwt. Kotivat or l>o out otY frvuu all s\ipplios! A'(i/>i>/('()M, That, luoans tho Khiuo must bo our baso, ana all 0( (>oruiauy must bo surroutlorod. lost; That Sa\ot\y Is i;\Mu\ and Wiirtouibore:: Prussia roi^aius hor Uuii;' U>st rank; Tho uivat i.\mft\loratiou o\ tho Khiuo, ^Vhioh Krauoo has mado hor bulwark oi' dd'cwci". Is itwopt away, as ouo of llollau^rs dikos Onuublos boforo tlio rush o{ 0(\':\u^ tiilos. ACT iirrn 03 All Uich*; won; our.', lor yoarn, hy riir\ii of fyjnf^ucHt. 'I li«; AJIioH want Ujo Uijiii*; our boii/in, and your throne of NapleH. 'I if^hton your Haddlf^^irt^lH ! Ho thr;u a whirlwind! \',(: UiiH your hat.tlo-cry: " lioniorrdjor I"'rif;d]and ! " [ McitA'i' ridcH off. (Umut, Noy, tako ono hattalion of thf; Guard; — Thoy'vf? Htorrrif;d a }iundrf;il jill four ariuit\i> Vo a ij;oiuM'!il ailvaiuv. XapoUoiK Ami BonuulDtto is with them. 'Tis he has tauiiht Thoiu all tlu\v kni)\v. Mitrai. AIort>au. of llohonliiulou, too, is there; lie's on the Kussian Emperor's staff. XapoU'OiK MtM-ean is ileail ! A eannon-ball eut i>ff Both leg's six weeks ago at Presden. }[uraf. ^loreau is dead? lie knew your art of war As ehiUlreu know their prayers. Xapoh'on. Another triok of strategy they've learned. Jn former years, when we had wliipped one army. They sent a resene after it to share Its fate. The foxt\<« ninv retreat when pressed, .\nd run like sheep, exeept they're all together. [Xey and IM.vonoNAi.n coine up. Macdonald. The Allies advanee npou all sides, on north. On south, and east, and west. They're storming now With Hell's hot rage the bridgi^ that spans the Klster, To eut otY our retreat towards the Khine. The Prussians pound their devilish tists against The eastern gate; onr outpost walls are erunibling: The roads are floods of flying men; and twenty Villagi^s are now in flames. Napoleon. That means retreat! We must abandon Teipsie, And turn our faees baek toward France. [To Macdonald. ACri^ FIFTH 97 Defend the DrcBcien gate with all your might, And kw[) tiie PrnsHianH out, till we liave crossed. , Your troojjH are freshest. [To PoNIATOWSKI. Yon Ijoid I lie hridge across the Elster till Our ir()(i\)H, a hundred thousand, all have crossed. [To MoNTKoirj', (Jliief of Engineers. (jIo mine the Elster hridge, and when the army lias crossed, or, when you see the Prussians on us, Then blow it ii[> ! [To MUKAT. Your cavalry goes first. The rcjad to Krf urt ! [To Nky. Follow Murat. Let all be orderly! The world must never know we're routed. [All go out. Napoleon. The world turns round against me ! Fortune shows Jler back, whose face for years has been all smiles. Ah, had I followed their advice! Too late! Too late! Ambition, Passion, Pride have blinded Reason; My jud^nent's lost its sovereign equipoise ! The sword of Friedland, it shall conquer yet ! Oh, for an Austerlitz! 'Twould save the Rhine! [Exit Napoleon. Scene II Time, March SI, 181 J^. Fontainehleau. Place, " Cour des Adieux." At the hack of the stage is shown the 98 NAPOLEON famous double stairway from, which Napoleon hade farewell to the Guard, a few days afterwards. Evening. Moonlight. Macdonald comes upon the stage after the curtain rises. Macdonald. (Alo7ie.) Lost! Lost! All lost! Three months ago we crossed The Rhine! Since then these wolves have hunted us. Marches and battles ! Battles and marches ! All spell one word, Retreat ! Four armies chased Our half-clad schoolboy legions on towards Paris. And yet we fought six battles in eight days ; And all were victories, — yet here we are ! The Congress of the Powers made offerings Of honorable peace, — yet here we are ! He must be mad, Lle'll have the world or nothing. "No peace ! No compromise ! And no surrender ! Last night a barber's chair at Moret was his bed. For weeks he's scarcely slept : riding by night, Fighting by day one army or another. His genius at its zenith ! Yet here we are ! Ah, here comes ISTey. He looks so sad ! What news ? [Enter Net, dejectedly. Ney. This forest is an arsenal of bayonets. Old Bliicher's hounds are round us everywhere. A scout brings me a letter that old bulldog Had sent to Wellington. [Reads. " We have the tiger in a cage at last. For twenty years he has ravaged Europe as if it were an Indian jungle. But now his lair is his own den, at Fontaine- ACT FIFTH 99 bleau. We have surrounded it, have stopped up every egress. Every road and almost every yard of ground is watched and guarded. Be sure that after hunting him so many years he never will escape us now. The allied army is pounding at the gate of Paris. Mont- martre was stormed and has capitulated. Marmot either has or will svirrender Paris soon, we think. The people are enthusiastic for the Bourbons. They hate Napoleon now. The Senate will declare against him. Talleyrand heads this revolution against Napoleon, and thinks he will abdicate before many days. " Blucher." Macdonald. And where is Wellington ? Ney. He's in the Pyrenees, and holding Soult At bay. He's driven him from Spain and Portugal. Those English are the spawn of Hell ; don't know When they have got their bellies full of fighting. Macdonald. {Beading the letter.') When was this written ? Ney. Two days ago, so says the date. Macdonald. What news from Paris ? Ney. To-day the Allies entered Paris ; an army Of fifty thousand, their sovereigns at their head, Princes, ambassadors and generals, With all the pageantry of a royal progress. The people greeted them with shouts and vivas, Plaudits hurrahs, as if Napoleon's self Were coming home from Eckmiihl or Marengo. The Bourbon fleur-de-lys and white cockade Are rampant everywhere. The tricolor, 100 NAPOLEON Which once they climbed the steeple-tops to see, Now hides its head in shame. The Czar proclaims Napoleon and the Bonapartes all exiles; The Senate has accepted this decree, Demands his abdication. Our Cicsar Is as sceptreless as three-and-thirty stabs Made his great prototype. Macdonald. Can this he frue? Ney. As true as Holy Writ! Macdonald. It cannot be ! Ney. What cannot he, that is! Macdonald. And does Napoleon know it all ? Ney. Yes, all. The scales have fallen from his eyes. That wily fox, old Talleyrand, is scheming To overthi'ow him. He wants the Bourbons back. Macdonald. A sorrv day for us when they broke friendship ! 'Twas Talleyrand knew well Napoleon's inner heart; His genius ; knew his frailties ; knew his purposes ; Knew all the courts and sovereignties of Europe ; What strings would make those manikins Dance to the music that his fiddle played. The second pillar of the Empire, he ! And dared to face him ; dared to pull the blinders From off his eyes ; expose his flatterers ; Hold up the glass of Truth. Ney. Napoleon knew all this. Macdonald. And will he abdicate? I hear such rumors. ACT FIFTH 101 Ney. In favor of his son, the King of Rome. Macdonald. And where is he? And where's the Empress ? Ney. Marie Louise has fled with him. Macdonald. Where ? Ney. Gone to Vienna, many think. Macdonald. It all seems stranger than a fairy tale ! This cannot be! It cannot be! Ls't all A dream ? Are we who stand here flesh and blood ? Is this Macdonald ? Was it I who led My grenadiers to parliament ? And did They fly like frightened sheep before my sword ? And have we helped to build a mighty empire, And seen it fade away, as does the world When the great orb of day goes down and Night Its curtain o'er the landscape draws? Or are we spirits, moonlit, vaporous ghosts, Who float in some ethereal realm of dreams ? And have we lived, or only thought we lived, These twenty years of fierce, tempestuous strife? Were we at Lodi ? Austerlitz ? at Friedland ? Or has Imagination played us false ? Were you or I, upon some winter's eve. To take our children on our palsied knees, And tell them things we think we've seen. Tell them this tale : how once a beardless boy Swept like a hurricane through Italy, And led his legions past the Pyramids; Thrice opened with his sword Vienna's gate; Made Prussia's Queen a frightened fugitive. 102 NAPOLEON Her land a wilderness of desolation ; Led half a million 'cross the frozen zone, And saw them die beneath the Ice-King's breath ; Picked np the sword and crown of Charlemagne And wore it as if born to royal state; And died an exile on a desert isle. Cowherds for courtiers, rooks and whirling winds For servitors, — their wondering eyes would say It were Aladdin's tale or we were mad. [They walk out. Scene III Same scenery. Time, April Jf, 181 Jf.. Napoleon. Ambition's dreams are o'er! My course is run ! These royal hounds have driven me to cover : Their teeth are at my throat; they taste my blood! My mother, France, diso^\^ls her favorite son, And says that he must lay aside the crown Of Charlemagne she placed upon his head; Exchange that empire for a barren isle. I'd rather join iho ranks of Freedom's sons Across the sea. I gave the young republic Full half her empire — sold Louisiana For a louis as a nursery of freemen ; I hoped to see them — grown to manhood's might — Defy these puny sons of pedigree. My cradle was the glens of Corsica ; \ ACT FIFTH 103 My childhood sipped the wine of Liberty ; The brcjist I nursed was warmed by Freedom's fire: I hak'd Kings and lioped to lift their yoke From off my countrymen. The siren came. The Genii of War revealed their secrets; SJKtwed me the j)uth that led to high Olympus; The path young MacfMlon and (Jiesar trodc ; yVnd beckoned mo to follow. Ambition, lust Of power, disjx'lled the hopes of earlier (hiys. I learned, at Areola, that skill in war Was mine by birthright; learned the world Was his who conquered it; what men call genius Was Herculean, well-directed toil. The praise of men, the craze for deathless fame, Inflamed my energies; became the air I breathed; my drink; my daily food. The sword became my toy; the cannon's voice The rhaf)sody whose music thrilled my ears. At length I made myself a King; but France Would have it so. She'd felt the iron hand So long that, when the Kevolution rai.sed it. Freedom to Riot flamed and burned to ash. I strangled tyrannies with tyranny. Oh, had I trod the path of Washington, — My young ambition's idol, — laid down the sword And boimd with cords of love the lands I conquered, They all had learned to love their conqueror ! The temple T had built — 'tis now a ruin! — Shivered by earthquake's shock! — might then have stood. 104 NAPOLEON Could I turn back Time's hand upon the dial, I ne'er again would lightly estimate The might of England's navy. This ruined me! I thought myself omnipotent ; a god ; And, Atlas-like, thought I could lift all Europe. I should have torn the crown from Prussia's brow, And made her Kings the Lords of Brandenburg. The wife who loved me should have stayed my queen : This cost the scorn of womenkind. Her voice 'Twas soothed Ambition's madness in my veins. Had Talleyrand stayed true, that Russian fever Had never burned with such consuming fire. But why live o'er my failures ? What is, that is! \J\Ieditating, he walks the floor with his hands behind his hack. I might come back sometime ; might reinstate Myself, perhaps. 'Twould be the dicer's chance ! For France is worn with wars ; her energies Are nerveless; Europe joins her hands against her. Money is King in war ! 'Twill conquer Genius. I cannot wait for boys to grow to men, For school-day sinews to mature, for, then, The charm of my great name would be dispelled ; Nor can I be an idler ? No ; in Elba, In years to come, I'll fight my battles o'er Again ; like Caesar write my history, For ages yet unborn to ponder o'er, And read my future in the drifting skies. I have not fought for petty purposes. But for a haven in Valhalla's halls, ACT FIFTH 105 A chair bj every Frenchman's fireside ; And these are mine whatever woes betide. The Code Napoleon will survive, and France Will love me, widowed, tired now of war. [Enter Net, Macdonald and several Marshals, and a Secretary hearing a parchment on a salver. Here comes the parchment 1 must sign ; The bearers of the bier, my greatest Marshals. Come forward, friends! I'm ready for the hemlock My- follies and our enemies have mixed. [He takes the parchment, reads it with a sigh, and takes a pen to sign it. See ! That's the hand that held the sword Of Austerlitz! 'Twere better burned than do this deed ! [Hesitates; ivolks across the floor, head homed. But I must keep my word ! 'Tis best for France ! A lighter hand, a lady's hand she wants. And France shall have her will ! Perhaps 'tis best. [He signs, then he throvjs himself on the sofa and huries his face in his hands and sohs vinjently for some time. Some of the Marshals are moved to tears. Then he starts up, and vnth all the grandeur and animation of his great- est moment, exclaims: Comrades! Ney! Macdonald! Victor! St. Cyr! Let us to the field again ! All is not lost With hearts and heads like ours ! [They all shake their heads. 106 NAPOLEON Ney and Macdonald. Too late! Too late! Napoleon. {Rcpcai'mq.) Too late! Too late! \^Sits down at the (nhJc, duiching the parchment, and buries his face in his hands. Scene IV Time, April '20, ISUf. Same scenery as Inst scene. The Imperial Guards are assembled in front of the grand double stair waij leading from the palace into the Cour des Adieux. General Petit, who com- manded them, and several officers, stand immediately in front of the landing of the stairway, which is several feet above the courtyard. NAroLEON comes out of the palace on- the landing. The colors are- draped in mourning. Napoleon^ My brave companions of the Imperial Gnard, — The Gnard that dies bnt ne'er surrenders! — This is the saddest hour we ever knew ; And yon the trnest friends I ever had. How many, many years have we been friends! Friends in the storm of battle; on weary marches; Upon the Tviissian steppes; on Prussian moors; Climbiric: the Alps; in snnny Italy; Beneath the shadow of the Pyramids; Where'er dear France has fonnd an enemy. We crossed the brid,£:e of Lodi ; Areola Together; together stormed the heights of Acre; ACT FIFTH 107 We've fought our way iio^'oss ti continent, From where Gibraltar lifts her frowning front To where the Kremlin tolled our requiem. You are the chosen heroes of my legions, — Heirs of tiiat deathless Tenth, Great Julius' pride! — And some can count a hundred battles won. But we have fought our last ! My sword is sheathed ! Last week I courted Death as Cupid, Psyche; The vixen turned her back with a I^^iry's scorn. My old gray coat you'll never see again; Nor old Marengo ! Do not regret my fate, You have another sovereign you should love. T see you weep, who never shed a tear In all your battles, all your sufferings. My heart is there with you ! My voice has fled ! T nmst not, l^urojie looking, ])lay the woman: But I nmst stop until my voice comes back. [Stops for a moment : sohs are Jieard helow. T would I could embrace you all, but cannot. I will embrace your General for each. [Bechons to Genkkal Petit, wlio, comes up upon the landing, and Napoleon emhirtces him. Bring me the Eagles ! [The colors are brought to him, and. he kisses them fervently. Ye blessed Eagles ! Ye have been our guides In campaigns glorious for long, long years ! Ye've led our blood-stained steps through Alpine snows, Following the path great Hannibal had blazed; Thrice have your pinions circled o'er Vienna; 108 NAPOLEO N You've .shown iis where the Prussian Vulture Paid his mock liouuige to the Russian Bear. Dear Eagles ! Oh, may the kisses which I shower now Kesound upon your loving hearts, my children 1 Farewell, my dear companions! Farewell, boysl Whene'er you tight yonr buttles o'vv again, And show yonr chihlren how our fields were won, T(>11 them how well yon loved your Emperor; How in the deadly breach he found you tinio. Do not forget me in my lonely isle: There will I write tlu^ story of your deeds, — Immortal as the deeds great Homer sung! Inimortiil as the deeds of Marathon! Immortal as the Titans' war with Jove ! Our wars will ring like bugles through the Ages, And be an epoch Clio's tongue will fondle. Let no man shmder me while you stand by; Surround me oncv again, as yon have done At Jena, Ulm, and Wagram, and Marengo! \He goes down among ilieni. They surround him. He cmhi-accs some of the offieers. Soldiers Icneel and l-iss his liand.^ and the hem of his coat. He fakes off ]iis strord and presents it to General Petit, and kisses the Eagles once more. Farewell I My heart I leave with you. [As he retires. ACT FIFTH 109 Scene Y Spectacular. Shown hy the stereopticon. 1. His death-bed at St. Helena. 2. " The Invalides." 3. Napoleon's Tomb. (The Moral of His Life) 4. Five million graves. THE LION AT BAY THE PLOT 113 THE PLOT Louis XIII, the weak but kindly son of Henry IV (Henry of J^avarre), at odds for most of his life with Anne of Austria, his Queen, resigned the reins of gov- ernment to Cardinal Pichelieu for nearly twenty years. Rifthelieu at the time of the play is fifty-eight years old. The play occupies several days. Time, 1G42. Ends with the death of Cinq Mars and Richelieu. Richelieu has destroyed the power of the nobles and established the authority of the King. He has perse- cuted the Huguenots and become Papal Legate, the Pope's vicegerent in France, and has used the power of both Church and State with unscrupulous craft. To keep the power in his own hands he has estranged the King from his own mother and from his Queen. He has worn himself out with his long struggles to preser\'e his power and establish royalty, and at the jicriod of this play, is on the verge of the grave and hated by the Que^n-Mother, the King's brother, Gas- ton, the Queen and all the Court and distrusted by the King. To keep the King from meddling with affairs of state, it has been necessary to keep him amused. Other means having failed, Richelieu brought Cinq Mars to court two years before the play opens. Cinq Mars was then twenty-two years old, a nobleman of extraor- dinary gifts and fascinations. Before coming to Paris he lived at Chaumont, on the Tx)ire, in Touraine, with 114 THE LION AT BAY his mother, who, in her youth, was beloved by Riche- lieu, whose attentions were not appreciated. Richelieu has never married. He at one time aspired to the love of Anne of Austria, but she made sport of his gal- lantries. This angered Richelieu. Richelieu has a foster-child, his sister's daughter, Marion de Lorme, who has just finished her education and come home to the Palais Cardinal. She is twenty- two years old, a girl of wonderful charm, beauty and cleverness. She, at her uncle's instigation, who has ambitious plans for her, becomes in love with Cinq Mars, but his love is fixed elsewhere, upon Marie, the Princess de Gonzaga. They have been playmates from childhood, and are in love with each other. She is of kin with the Queen. Her royal rank makes their mar- riage impossible without the Queen's consent, which Cinq Mars hopes to gain by so distinguishing himself as to be made Constable of France. Richelieu brings him to court to amuse the King. The persecution of his o^vn order and of his religious friends, the Huguenots, by Richelieu, so exasperates him that he determines, if possible, to overthrow Riche- lieu. The times and circumstances are propitious for this conspiracy. Even Marion's love aids him against her uncle. The conspirators meet in an apartment she has secured for their use. The Duke of Buckingham, who wooed Henrietta, the King's sister, for Prince Charles, and brought her to England to become his Queen, is at court during the play, and begs a bracelet of the Queen, This Richelieu THE PLOT 115 learns of, and resolves to use this knowledge to estrange the King still further from the Queen. Buckingham is killed bj an assassin, at Portsmouth, but the bracelet is returned to Paris in season to thwart Richelieu's purpose. The climax of the plaj occurs in the fourth act. Cinq Mars, to have a sufficient force to resist, if neces- sary, the troops Richelieu has at Perpignan, makes an agreement with Spain by which she is to furnish him seventeen thousand men. This is a dangerous expedient. Richelieu has heard of it, and gets possession of the agreement while it is on the way to Spain for ratifica- tion. Just as Cinq Mars thinks himself master of France, Richelieu produces the compact, accuses him of treason, wins back the King, who is too weak to gov- ern France himself, and obtains an order for Cinq Mars' execution. Richelieu is loath to execute him. Marion begs for his life. But in vain. With Cinq Mars dead, the conspiracy is finally quelled. In the last scene Riche- lieu dies, just two months after Cinq Mars is beheaded. 116 THE LION AT BAY SCENES Act I, Scene I. Richelieu's Cabinet. (Front of stage. ) Scene II. A forest scene. (Whole stage. ) Scene III. Same scene. A hunting- partj. Act II, Scene I. In front of the church. (Front of stage.) Scene II. The thwarted marriage. In- terior of church. (Whole stage.) Act III, Scene I. The conspiracy. A dimly lighted catacomb. (Whole stage.) Scene II. Richelieu's Cabinet. Same scene as Act I, Scene I. (Front of stage. ) Act IV, Scene I. A salon in the Louvre. Scene II. The denouement. The fruit- less intercession. Cinq Mars refuses to disclose the names of the conspirators. Act V, Scene I. A cell in the Conciergerie. (Front of stage.) Scene II. The execution. A square in Paris. (Whole stage.) Scene III. Richelieu's Cabinet. Death of Richelieu. (Front of stage.) SCENES m The Play could be advertised by posters : I. Kichelieu in scarlet cardinal robes. II. Cinq Mars, Grand Ecuyer, on horseback. III. The execution. Cinq Mars at the block. IV. The death of Richelieu. 118 THE LION AT BAY THE LION AT BAY DRAMATIS PERSONAE Louis XIII, King of France, who reigned hut did not rule. Gaston, his brother j an enemy of Richelieu, but weak and pusillanimous. Richelieu, Lord Cardinal; a great and crafty states- man, of whose power the King and all his court are tired. Cinq Mars, Grand Ecuyer: a nobleman twenty-four years old, of much ability and magnetism; the King's favorite. De Thou, a friend of Cinq Mars; son of President de Thou. Baptiste, a Jesuit priest and factotum of Richelieu. Count Coligny, a Huguenot ; son of the great Ad- miral. Duke of Buckingham, an English peer, and friend of Charles T. Duke de Bouillon, a French nobleman, conspiring against Richelieu. Sevekal IsToblemkn, also conspirators. Grandtson, Cinq Mars' man-at-arms, an old ma/ri. Pere Hyacinthe, a Huguenot minister. Anne of Austria, Queen of France. Marie de Medici, widow of Henry IV, and mother of the Kvng. DRAMATIS PERSONS 119 Marie, Princess de Gonzaga, a Spanish Austrian, twenty years old, in love with Cinq Mars, and with whom he is in love. Marion de Lorme, daughter of Richelieu's sister, heau- tiful and commanding, and in love with Cvruj Mars. Two Ruffians, employed by Baptiste. Isabelle, maid of the Princess de Oonzaga. Two Fops, courtiers and friends of Cinq Mars. Laubardemont, a decayed nobleman turned ruffian. 120 THE LION AT BAY ACT I Scene I Time, 16U2. Richelieu's Cabinet in the Palais Car- dinal, now Palais Royal, Paris. Richelieu, pale and consumptive, fifty-eight years old, in a cardinal's rohes and hat, sits in an easy chair by a table spread over with documents, head on his hand, in deep thought. Baptiste and Laubardemont, the former dressed as a Jesuit, the latter as a mountaineer of the Pyrenees, are talking in undertones at side of stage front. Baptiste. You're out of luck ? Laubardemont. Yes. Baptiste. Walking on your uppers ? Lauhardemoni. Exactly so. Baptiste. How long has this been ? Lauhardemoni. Ever since the Cardinal destroyed My barony and made nobility A mockery. Baptiste. Your lands ? Laubardemont. A desert! Baptiste. Your sheep and herds ? Laubardernojit. Sold to the slaughterer. Baptiste. Your chateau ? Laubardemont. The prey of kites and wolves. Baptiste. All gone? ACT FIRST 121 Lauhardemont. All gone except my skin and sword. Baptiste. And these ? Lauhardemont. For sale. Baptiste. For what ? Laubardemont. For any purpose brings me wine and bread. Baptiste. So low ? Lauhardemont. Aye, low if you will call it so ! The kite May breathe a purer air, and sweeter, too, Than he who grinds his nose with honest toil, Raising his crops for crows and usurers ; The mountain pass his den, and travellers His plunder. Baptiste. Among the Pyrenees ? Lauhardem,onL Aye, there has been my eyrie. Baptiste. But Paris ? Lauhardemont. There are no geese just now among the mountains. Baptiste. And so to Paris you have come for pluck- ing? Laubardenfiojit. (Nods.) The geese so far are bones and feathers. Baptiste. Your den? Lauhardemont. In Saint Antoine with Jacques, the slaughterer. Baptiste. Hush ! Soft ! The Cardinal is waking from His reverie. Begone ! We may have work 122 THE LION AT BAY For you sometime. [Laubardemont goes outside. Richelieu. (Soliloquizing.) I've walked for years upon a sea of ice With panther step, expecting every day Would see its surface crack and let me down. Each step, each motion has this mirror Reflected to my timid King and courtiers, Argus-eyed with jealousy. The Queen Has hated me that I usurped her province, And ruled her lord ; whom all her wealth of beauty. Her stalwart mind and pride has never conquered. Baptiste. This scarce was happiness! Richelieu. Scarce happiness ? 'Twas Hell ! No cooling breath Of gratitude has fanned my fevered brow In twenty years. Who serves a fickle King, His sire, Navarre, has schooled to idle ways. Must watch, as sailors do, the shifting breeze ; Must train his sails to whirlwinds and to calms ; Must stake his life upon the dicer's chance. Baptiste. So Strafford served King Charles. Richelieu. And Strafford's head has paid the pen- alty. Baptiste. Is Strafford dead ? Richelieu. Stone dead ! Beheaded by the Lords and Commons. Baptiste. His children are attainted ? Lands are forfeit ? Must grub like dogs and swine for bread. ACT FIRST 123 Richelieu. The Commons have relieved them of that penalty. Baptiste. Martyred for faithful service! Richelieu. The ground I tread is quicksand. Ever ready To sink or snare my feet. How Pym and Hampden, How Cromwell rides rough-shod across old England, Sharp-spurred, big-booted, clanking sword and all! The panther of the jungle would sigh with envy To see how, like a summer's breeze across A field of grain, I creep, with spirit-step, Among the purlieus of the court. [Richelieu is here interrupted with a fit of coughing. Baptiste. Does this not frighten you, Lord Car- dinal ? Richelieu. Not frighten me? 'Twould frighten Coeur de Lion ! It tells me my few sands of life run low. Ere many moons shall wane, my sad, sad journey I'll make alone across the Styx, with one Lone obolus for Charon. Baptiste. Were it not best to turn your thoughts away From worldly things and state affairs ? Richelieu. At morn and eventide! But when the sun His quadriga shall urge athwart the sky, Then must my watchful eyes be bent on France. I've strangled these proud barons till they choked, 124 THE LION AT BAY Coughed lip the feudal rights they've fattened on. Their ancient pillars have I tumbled down. The state rests on one pillar royalty. Baptiste. And when that falls? Richelieu. Then all nobilities have fallen ! Then The people shall be sovereigns. Richelieu dead. I've seen the lilies grow till they O'ertop nobility and stand supreme. I would a little longer water them; Some other gardener might not love them so. Baptiste. Loves not the Queen our fleur-de-lys ? Richelieu. The Queen is Austrian. The quick, hot blood Of a hundred kings jumps in her purple veins. This daughter of the Caesars, she would rule ; And hold in leash the hounds of State and War, Or let them loose to howl, to prey, devour. Whene'er some idle fancy pleaseth her. These awful powers are not for women's wiles, Conceits and fantasies. This — this is why My schemes have kept these two apart, estranged By methods devilish, unless the ends Can answer for the means. The King twice sought To sow in maiden minds the seeds of love, And twice I've sown the weeds of charity And mured them both in convent walls. Baptiste. The King is starving for companion- ship. Richelieu. Such is the fate of Kings. Mt. Blanc stands all ACT FIRST 125 Alone. The eagle and the glacier and The silent spheres, these are his bosom friends, Though his tall front be seen by a million eyes. Baptiste. The King is hungering for friendship. Richelieu. Yes, yes. It troubles me lest he should break The hedges I have built, lest he should burst His cage, like some imprisoned stag, and find His solace with the does and fawns. Baptiste. Is it not time to find him some compan- ion ? Richelieu. Aye. Man, not woman. She is hard to mould To purposes of state. Affection is her lode-star. She sighs to tread the flowery paths of love And piety. Ambition is a tree Of too majestic growth and foliage For garden lawns. Such grandeur flourishes In high sierras, mountain glens ; it craves Companionship with towering pines. Baptiste. And has your quest been fruitful ? Richelieu. What think you of Cinq Mars ? He is both young And handsome, light of heart, of princely bearing; A hunter and a soldier ; quick of wit ; And clay that may be moulded. Baptiste. His name was on my tongue. He has withal, Dame Rumor says, a soft, responsive nature, A soul attuned to statelv melodies, 126 THE LION AT BAY And may be tuned to sing your song as parrots Can tell the tale they're taught. Richelieu. I know the tree from which this graft was cut, And for some days have sampled it. Convey To him my wish. Go say that Richelieu Would speak with him of matters diplomatic. Baptiste. At once ? Richelieu. At once. Before the dinner has grown cold It should be eaten. Baptiste. He lives at Chaumont ? Richelieu. On the Loire, Some three hours' journey on beyond Orleans. My horses wait your bidding. Baptiste. I start to-night. \^A})ruptly. Richelieu. (Amazed.) By carriage or on horse- back? Baptiste. (Who is very fat.) It matters not. Richelieu. (Smiling ironically.) But, Baptiste, can you ride so far ? Baptiste. (Boastingly .) As feathers ride upon the wind. Richeheu. (Mischievously.) I think, perhaps, a mule would better Support your bulk, or Baalam's ass. My horses' Frail backs have scarce the strength to carry hogsheads Of port. You need a coach and four. Oh, Falstaif ! Have you some percheron or plow-horse saddled! My grooms can find you one. ACT FIRST 127 Bapiiste. (Confused.) I fear your Grace is po- king fun at me. Richelieu. Oh, no! No! ]^o ! But don't you think jour soul Is jeopardized by so much feasting. Bapiiste. (Quite serious.) I mortify the flesh. I do the penance Our order has prescribed. Richelieu. That nose of yours is such a monument Of abstinence ! It blossoms like a rose ; One milestone on the road to Paradise. Bapiiste. 'Twill never pale. It is a birthmark. Richelieu. Tut! Tut! Ten rosaries for that! Are all your fasting brothers stamped with birth- marks ? My butler ought to close the Palais vaults When they come here for mass. You monks, how hardly Can you, so fond of Israel's fleshpots, and rich men. Enter the gates of Heaven ! Look and see Your pattern. I can do the needle's eye. [Coughs. Baptisie. (Aside.) Yes; so can ghosts. [Goes out. After he has gone Richelieu has a violent fit of coughing. Bapiiste. (Pokes in his head.) Not long for this world. Richelieu. Ah, Baptiste, I thought that you had gone. Bapiiste. I feared that you had gone. Lord Car- dinal. 128 THE LION AT BAY Richelieu. (With evident exhaustion.) No, not for many years. Go tell my niece — You'll find lier in the library, devouring Some book of love, ... I wish to see her here. Don't tell her that you caught me coughing ! Baptiste, Your tiger jaws are not fit fellowship For her soft cheeks, as when in childhood days She sat upon your knees. She's woman now. [Baptiste goes out and Richelieu arranges his robe and hair, smooths the wrinkles in his face, etc. Marion de Lorme, a beautiful, stately girl of twenty-two years, enters. Richelieu. Come here, my bird of paradise ! Come sit Here on this chair-arm, as in childhood's days. Marion. {Hesitating.) Our lady superior says I ought to sit Now at your feet. Here is an ottoman. 'Twas thus that Mary sat at Jesus' feet. And Esther on Ahasuerus' footstool. Richelieu. Ah, Modesty! Thy name is Prudery! These convent-mothers are too finical. Well, never mind ; sit anywhere, my dear. If only by my heart. [Marion sits down, and Richelieu draws her head towards him, and plays with her hair. Richelieu. (Meditating.) My fingers love To play at hide and seek among your tresses. They revel in sweet thrills of fond delight. Ten years ago — ten years ! — your father died. ACT FIRST 129 It seems an age ! What beauty blossomed here I The mother of our Lord was not more saintly Than you, my child, were then. Your mind of that Imperial mould of Margaret Angouleme, Navarre's grand'mere ; nor had the famed Diane A mien more like a goddess. How I've loved To see you flower into womanhood ! For years these were the apple of mine eye, The Church, dear France, and my dead sister's child. Come closer to me, sweetheart ! Let me hold Your hand and see the star-dust sparkling in Your wondrous eyes. I may not have you always. [He takes her hand and she tiirns her face up to his. Miranda's hand nestling in Calaban's ! The hand of Childhood in the clutch of Death ! A rosebud coffined in a thistle! [Makion shudders and draws hack. Oh, do not leave me, Marion ! 'Twas but A shadowy thought ! Marion. But why such gruesome spectres, uncle? Richelieu. (Pensively.) I know not why. I have great schemes for you. No longer nursed in convent glooms, your spirit Must feed upon the breath of courts and palaces ; Must drink the gaiety of masques and pageants ; Commune with courtiers, dukes, and princely dames; Must sip the wine of flattery, nectars That madden the brain and turn at last to poison. These hereafter are your food and drink. 130 THE TJON AT BAY Mdiioii. Aiul lUv.sv linve often been my j^irlish (.IrcaiMs. h'irln'licti. Hut cloves Hlioiild never nest iiniong the liawka, Nor niaideuhootl with courtiers. Marion. Hut must T pine at liome and waste my perfumes In tiioae desert halls ? Richelieu. No, T must find some unite for you. Marlon. Ix't him be good, I pray, to win my love; Be wise, to keep respect; be brave and princely. To fire my admiration. BlchcJh'u. lie shall bo all, else lose this sparkling jewek I would not have you mate with royalty. Marlon. No. I would rather be a dairy maid Than royal })aramour. Richelieu, {k'itislnx/ her forehead.) Thou art thy father's child. How oft I've heard Him rail at <;reat Navarre for ehasing- tinsel And peacocks' plumes along the (puiys of Paris. Manon. {Pleased with his admiration.) I'm glad you think I'm not of base alloy. Papa. Eichelieu. Papa! Papa! The name we call the Pope. I hoped to wear that triple cro^vu, but France forbade. There conieth soon to court a noble count. His mother was my boyhood's friend, and I Her worshipper. Had she but smiled upon My suit, I iie*er had worn these priestly robes. ACT FIRST i:U 1 thouglil, tJio. poarly gatOH Imd oitciicd wide And let soino saint, walk ouis' heafl is soft, A plaything in the hands of craft. Beware ! " Because my mother's Heart would guide the King I'd nursed and cradled, this Satan dungeoned me: Convoyed me away and chained me up in Blois. De Thou. But you escaped — and how ? Queen Dovmger. Have you ne'er heard ? De Thou. No, ne'er from lips that knew. Queen Dowager. Bundled in a basket, as Moses was. 138 THE LION AT BAY The shades of night my screen from argiis eyes: Let down by ropes from out a palace window As thieves sneak out from treasuries they've rifled. De Thou. A dizzy risk for such an argosy. Queen Dowager. But better that than starving heart and dense, Black, maddening solitude, the sport of Fortune And scorn of courtiers once had worshipped me. [They walk off. [Enter Cinq Mars and Marion de Lorme. Marion. But tell me more of England. Cinq Mars. It is a lovely isle, buttressed upon Four seas ! Her giant cliffs, that rear their pale Inviting faces, smile and seem to say : Here are sweet homes, delicious memories ; And Ocean her great diapasons shouts As some grand organ thunders through the heart. Those cirling mists that veil her from the sun, They keep the mother and her children fresh ; Here dwells a race of stalwart, conquering men Have scoured the seas from Arctic unto Ind, A race of empire-builders, whose proud crest All peoples 'neath the sun have bowed before : Their cannon-shots shall echo 'round the globe. Marion. But royalty is on its knees ? Cinq Mars. The puny royalty of kings, not peoples ! The men who hold the rudder, shuttle, plow, And beckon 'cross the seas to other lands. And weave and spin and fashion spiders' webs For their and other climes — these now are King. ACT FIRST 139 When once the Commons sent their leaders forth To seek King James, " Set out twarl thrones ! Here come Twarl Kings ! " he said, as they drew near. Marion. But Hampden, Pym and Selden, Crom- well, who Are these, whose names the North Wind shouts above The roaring sea of revolution ? Cinq Mars. These too are empire-builders ! They would make Their fatherland a freeman's land as well. Marion. Those Puritans, pray who are they ? Cinq Mars, Short-haired, high-browed, stern-vis- aged, honest men, Who love the home that Piety has built, Hate churchly idols, courts and purple pride ; Would bow the knee to God where'er He dwells, In forest or in fen, and read the Book With their own eyes and in their native tongue; Set Freedom's cap aloft and bow to it, Not bow to wooden gods. Marion. And some have breasted western seas ? Cinq Mars. To build there altars, scatter freedom's seed In that far western world. These seeds shall grow As once the dragon's teeth, sown broadcast, grew, Into a race of giants. Marion. This rage for freedom frightens me! Cinq Mars. Resisted, it may swamp all royalties. 'Tis like the might of ocean's surging tides. 140 THE LION AT BAY That climb, recede, but climb ai^ain and conquer. [As they are walking sloiuly off, tliey pass the embers, and Cinq Mars stirs them luiih his sword. Marion. Is this where Grandier was burnt '^ Cinq Mars. The very place! The embers are scarce cold. These are the embers of that fire we call The massacre of St. Bartholomew ! O France — fair France ! Dear mother of us all ! Your children have for decades poured their blood, Their wealth, their honor, everything held dear, Into one sacred urn, and lighted it With tire invoked from Heaven. Oft, too oft. This altar was a funeral pyre whose smoke Had faded into nothingness. And yet The horrid holocaust goes on. [They go off the stage. [Enter the Quken and Dukk of Bijckinchiam. Baptistk leatches tJiem, unseen by ttietn,. Buekingham. I soon must speak the saddest of all words. Queen. Pray what is that ? Buchingh a tn. Fa rewell. Queen. And must you turn your prow towards England soon ? Buckingham. To-night T start for Calais. Such, alas. The orders of King Charles ! Queen. We all shall miss your joyous, shining pres- ence. ACT FIRST 141 The court, from King to servitor, has rung With praise of noble Buckingham. Buckingham. 1 thank your gracious Majesty. 'Tis some [Bowuig low. Slight recompense for sorrow. Queen. I thought your court not tuned to flattery. \^Arc}dy. Buckingham. And you thought rightly. English tongues, somehow, Can never trip to courtly measures. Queen. And yet, were you an Irish duke, I might Suppose you'd kissed the Blarney stone. Buckingham. I fear your Majesty makes jest of me. Queen. Then pardon me, your Grace ! At such a time My idlest word would fly on raven's wings. Buckingham. Perhaps I might make bold to beg some token, Some souvenir as a remembrancer Of this delightful visit ? Queen. Are not its memories sufficient? [Archly. Buckingham. But memories are unsubstantial to- kens. Queen. And fade perhaps? \Coquettishly. Buckingham.. Some memories will never fade ! Queen. Tut ! Tut ! You must not flatter ! [Putting her finger to her lip. 'Tis not the custom of your court, you know. Buckingham. May I not beg that locket — that jewelled rose 142 THE LION AT BAY Suspended round an alabaster vase ? Queen. It was his Majesty endowed this gift Upon our wedding-day. His picture is Within. Buckingham. May I not beg this bracelet? You have dozens, Doubtless, of jewels prized more highly. Queen. What would you do with it? You are a man And could not wear it. Buckingham. But I would lock it with my choicest gems. Within my holiest of holies, among My decorations, jewels of the Garter And Golden Fleece. Queen. And never show it? Play the braggart? Say, 'Twas Anne of Austria gave this to me ? Buckingham. No, never ! On my honor as a knight And gentleman. Queen. Then take it. It is yours. [Impulsively. [He takes off the hracelet and as he does so kisses her hand fervently. [Enter the King and Gaston, his brother. Gaston. We all are tired of his tyrannies. This glutton's stuffed with pelf his claws have filched ! One palace now outshines Mahal, that jewel On India's breast whose wonders starve the world. His nose, his lackeys, spies are everywhere. Our boudoirs are not safe, our secret closets ACT FIRST 143 Some minion of the Cardinal may open. [Enter the Dowager Queen and De Thou. De Thou and Buckingham, as the conversation is about state affairs, join each other and withdraw. There is no tongue in all the court but bites him. Our mother he has baited like a dog : He walled her up in Blois, and hunted her As if she were some pheasant, he a falcon. King. What says our royal mother? Queen Dowager. Oh, Richelieu is merciless ! More tears Than crystal drops in yon carafe this Satan Has wrung from me. Not tears of wounded pride, But drops of blood distilled from my red heart! Do mothers give their children suck, and live Upon their baby breath as bees on honey, To dwell alone like starving nuns in convents Where their sweet babes are Kings ? [Enter Cinq Mars and Coligny. King. Wliat says Cinq Mars, the idol of the Court ? Cinq Mars. 'Twas Richelieu ensconced me here. 'Twere strange Ingratitude to turn state's evidence Against my friend. King. But speak the truth ! Your King com- mands ! T dare To hear it now and here. Cinq Mars. Then this T say, I never yet have known The tongue of courtier sugar his sentiments: 144 THE LION AT BAY His words are steeped in gall and vinegar. King. What says our faithful counsellor, Coligny? Coligny. I hate this stonny petrel, this firebrand Dissembler, fox dressed in a lion's skin. We beg for freedom, the right to worship God Both when and where, yea, how we please, no more. Religious wars have drenched fair France with blood: From every chateau, house-top, church and tower One universal voice cries : " Peace, peace, peace." Since St. Bartholomew's mad hunt of death, When my sweet father fell as falls the stag, One deluge, then another 's swept o'er France ; Wliile Richelieu reigns our ark will never rest Upon the peaceful head of Ararat. He slaughters Huguenots like swine. King. I thank you one and all for this brave counsel. My royal consort and myself will this Advice digest, assimilate, and act Upon ere long. ITlie rest go out. These cares of state are no ethereal mists Which float away with sunshine's balmy breath. More like those iron caskets soldiers wear. The gauntlets, greaves and coats-of-mail they groan Beneath. Queen. But if your Majesty would let me help To bear your load, and be your wife and helpmeet. Your cares might weigh less heavily. King. Well spoke, beloved Queen ! It shall be so I Some clouds have hung of late about the horizon ACT FIRST 145 Of love and happiness ; nor were they all Of our assembling. May they fade away ! [Embraces her. Why wear you not to-day my favorite bracelet? Please grace your arm with it at our next pageant. [Theij walh off. [Baptiste, ivlio has been concealing himself dur- ing this ivhole scene in the edge of the forest, comes out on the stage with an anxious looJc. Baptiste. So doves delight to bill and c^ and toy With Love in soft, enamoured dalliance ! Ah ! When the hawk's away the doves will p But when he hurtles through the sky or swoops Upon their sweet, innocuous delights, Their notes of joy grow hoarse as ravens' cries. I'll hence to Richelieu. The hawk must know These angel messengers of peace are on The wing and hovering o'er the Louvre. [Conceals himself as De Thou and Marion enter. De Thou. How beautiful your Palais Cardinal! Its hooded towers and dreamy colonnades Enchain the mind in ecstasies of bondage. Marion. The gold that lay entombed in Ophir scarce Excels the quarries of our Paris. This wealth Is cleft and hewn and sawn to milk-white blocks And piled up mountains high in towers and bastions, Is chiselled into gargoyled oafs and elfs Which Time's encrusting hand invests with robes Of immortality. 146 THE LION AT BAY De Thou. What Wolsey reared at Hampton Court your uncle Reduplicates, embellishes. Marion. This is but one of many palaces. Chinon's proud keep, and that ethereal Abbey Where great Plantagenet and T.ion-TIeart Wait Gabriel's trump, are both his treasure-trove. De Thou. No prelate in our land has climbed so high In one short score of years. He holds in leash The lions of both state and war, and hurls The Church's thunderbolts. Marion. Their fangs will soon be drawn ! Another god, A younger one, aspires to be the thunderer ; Conspiracy is rampant, seeks to snatch The sceptre from his grasp, to give the ship Of state another helmsman. Youth and strength Are flying. Ponce de Leon's spring of life My uncle famishes to taste — alas ! This font perennial of eternal youth No eye has seen, no foot will ever find. Has Cinq Mars gone ? De Thou. I left him with the Princess. [Marion manifests jealousy. [They go out. Baptiste comes out of his hiding and goes off on tiptoe. ACT SECOND 147 ACT II Scene I At the Altar — Hope Deferred Midnight. Dark and rainy; lightning occasionally. Cinq Mars and the Princess de Gonzaga are in full dress of the period of Louis XIII. Have ju~st come from the Queen's reception. The raising of the curtain discloses in the middle of the stage the en- trance and steps of a church. Grandison, an old servitor of Cinq Mars, in powdered wig and black small-clothes, heavily muffled in a cloak, enters side of stage. Grandison. (Shivering.) How cold! How dark and gruesome ! 'Not a step Awoke the silence of Saint Honore Or old Pont Nenf, nor till I reached the statue Of Henry Fourth. There lightning played queer pranks Ahout his head, and lighted up two ruffians Who sat there muffled like some Snanish brigand, Playing rat-tat to keep their feet from freezing. Soon Old Notre Dame will toll the hour of twelve. Cinq Mars. (Who approaches heavily muffled.) Ah, Grandison, how long have you been here? Grandison. A quarter-hour, your Grace. Cinq Mars. Pere Hyacinthe — has he not come ? 148 THE LION AT BAY Grandison. Not yet, your Grace. Cinq Mars. He will be here ere long? Grandison. Surely by twelve, he said. Cinq Mars. Have you the key ? Grandison. I have, your Grace. Ci7iq Mars. Unlock the door ! [Grandison unlocks the church door and Cinq Mars enters. Grandison relocks the door, and stands beside it. Grandison. What magic power has love! Naught frightens it. On such a night, when Paris yawns with sleep And goblins haunt the corners of the streets, A timid dove will brave cyclones of rain, A gloom so palpable a knife can cut it. To hear one sweet, soft voice coo in its ears. Hark, here she comes ! [The cathedral clock tolls twelve. [Marion de Gonzaga, closely veiled and muffled againsi the rain, comes from the side of the stage, opposite from Cinq Mars' entrance, with her maid. Isabelle. Here is the church. Mile, la Princesse. Marie. {To Grandison.) Your master, has he come ? Grandison. Just now, your royal Highness. He has entered. Marie. Unlock the door. [Grandison unlocks the door. Marie enters. , Grandison relocks it and resumes his place. ACT SECOND 1^9 Grandison. Have yon met any one ? Isabelle. No, not a soul! Oh, yes, two men, two beggars Were watching out the night at Henry's statue. Grandison. Strange place for Poverty to warm itself ! But our Kina; lienrv, he had suffered much: His form In bronze, like life, sheds warmth around. You saw no solitary Huguenot ? Isabelle. No, no one else. Grandison. You're cold, my child. Go hide your- self, until I call, within the western portal. [Isabelle goes off. After she has gone two ruf- fians rush upon the stage, seize Grandison, gag him to keep him quiet, tic his hands he- hind him, feel in his pockets, find the key. Baptiste, cloaked like a Huguenot, with the hood of his cloak over his face, enters and takes the key from one of the ruffians. Baptiste. Are both inside? Ruffian. Yes, both. Baptiste. And Hyacinthe has not appeared ? Ruffian. No, only the lady's maid. Baptiste. Begone! Not far away! You know my whistle ? Ruffian. Yes; don't the father know his child? Baptiste. {Startled.) I have no child. Ruffian. (Incredulously.) No more had Solomon, with all his wives. 150 THE LION AT BAY Baptiste. Here, take this key, unlock the door, and when You hear my whistle, wings, put wings. Upon your feet. Ruffian. I fear they would not suit. For wings, you know. Fit only angels' feet. Baptiste. Unloose, ungag the knave, and place him there Within the western portal. [They lead Gkandison away after unlocking the door for Baptiste to enter, and relocking it. Presently Peee Hyacinthe, dressed as a Huguenot minister, comes to the church door in great haste. He tries it, finds it locked, knocks, knocks several times, waits awhile, tries it again; is deeply disappointed. Walks about to find entrance, looks at his watch. Pere Hyacinthe. Can I have disappointed them — these two, Dearer to me than my two eyes, my life ; Whose path of love has been through snares and briars That pricked and tore their feet at every step ? Married in Heaven ! Divorced by man's base law ! This night, when Nature has grown mad and rants And raves in her delirium, has kept Them both at home. Sore disappointment ! [After tryhig the door again, and looking about, he walks off. ACT SECOND 151 Scene II The scene now shifts, disclosing the interior of the church, dark, and lighted only by the red lamp in front of the altar at back of the stage. At the altar are disclosed Cinq Mars and Makie kneeling. Bap- TisTE is in a side-chapel or confessional, almost un- seen. Cinq Mars and Marie remain at the altar in silent prayer awhile and then come forward. Cinq Mars. Dark the labyrinths of fate! How strange that we, Here at this dead of night, when all the world Is cradled in dreams, here in this church, alone With God, should seal our marriage vows ! Had you, Marie, been peasant and not princess, Or had I worn a coronet of France, Sunshine and flowers, smiles and songs of joy Had met me bringing home my bride. Marie. Would we might plight our troth where peasants can, In courts above ! Speak not so loud, for walls Have ears, sometimes. Cinq Mars. Not these to-night. Each door was sealed long hours Ago. 'Twas swept of all intruders. Marie. Pere Hyacinthe is here ? Cinq Mars. Yes. Heard you not his key unlock the door? He waits in some confessional. The Queen, 152 THE LION AT BAY Knows she your purpose 'i Marlr. Ali, no! Nor that I left the dance. Oh, llouri, How do I IrtMuhlo! Scarcely can I ispcak! Tliis ph\co ! The hour! No ^luirds ! No witnesses! Midnif:;ht! The thinnlor'n voiee ! J^ightning and rain ! 'I'ho moaning wiiuM Pdack tombs! — Their ghostly tenants Arc not tit bridesmaids for a princess! Cinq Mars. I know it well, alas! tuo well, ami would Tt were not so. Marie. But this conspiracy '^ Is Ivich(>li(Mi doomed '< Have you the headsman ready ? Citiq Mars. We cannot fail. The King has prom- ised us. Marie. But kings have pn^nisod so bcroi'(\ Cijiq Mars. 'Vhv Quoon has giviMi her liand in friendship. Marie. And she is constancy, but powerlt^ss. The chains she binds her husband with an^ silk; No, spider's wob, as unsubstantial, fragile As mooidieams are. Cinq Mars. But CJastt^n, lie lias sworn (o aid us. Marie. Ah! Gaston is hut putty, lit to slop A hole, not hold in adamantine grip A mad conspiracy. Cinq Mars. The Court, the courtiers all are stretch- ing out ACT SECOND \J)^ Thoir hands to st,ranp!;Io this sick prioHt. Marie. But coiirtiorK, thoy arc woathercocks ; anrl when "^I^ho wind blows oa.sf, will fnco Iho, oast, And wlicn thn wostcrn wind altn In iho, sail, Thoy face to westward. Cinq Mars. Tho Due df P>oiiillon is chief adjutant. Marie. Now, there's a man! UlysROfl ifl his namol In courage, honor, craft he stands supreme. Tll-luck has always chased him down ihe wind : Charybdis, 8cylla, or Calypso's isle, One always wrecks his ar/]^osics. Cinq Mars. Throw not, cold water on our ontcrprisel Your name is not, Cassandra. Marie. Nor am I Icarus, to fly ho near The sun as melt my winp:s. Cinq Mars. Kichelieu is lying on his grave. Marie. ITaR lain there years! Tie laughs at Death Whose sickness i.s I'ncurnble. Cats have Nine lives, some say, hnl Kifliellcn has twenty. Cinq Mars. His henchman, T'apU.ste . . . Marie. His shadow, rather! Cinq Mars. Tlf; has nr) love for him. Marie. Nor any one except himself. Cinq Mars. T^aptiste would poison him. fio has been heard To say as much. Marie. Worms to catch sculpins! Eaptiste hopes the j)rirnale Will make of him a bishof). If some f)ne 154 ^rill'] LION AT BAY Would soak liiiu in a tun of Burp^indy ! Ilimdrods are hanging on such hopes. I Haptistio is heard to more u.twnsiJy in the coiv- fessio)uil. Cinq Mars. {Lislriiin ean. We meet this night To consummate our plans. Marie. Where 'i Cinq Mars. At Marion's, Marie. (Widi jealousj/.) At Marion's! Can your troops match with KichclItMi's ? Ciiiq Mars. If not, tlu>n Spain will lend her aid with soldiers. Full seventeen thousand. Marie. What, Spaing Will Spain send soldiers into l<'ranct> ■^I'o tight 'gainst FnMichmcn? Cinq ^fars. A treaty is agreed and waits n\y seal. If dire necessity shall force my feet Close to this precipice, I'll try this leap; Not otJierwisc. Marie. Is this not treason? Cinq Mars. Treason if faihire f(dlows, glory if not I 'Tis strange how narrow is that line divides The patriot from traitor; him who founds ACT SECOND 155 A nation, hears a nation's hallelujahs Ringing within his ears, is sepulchred In millions of warm hearts, from him Who, when the cap is drawn across his eyes Upon the scaffold, hoars a million curses, Anathemas and jeers, and then is thrown To dogs, unburied, on the Potter's Fiehh Marie. This makes me shudder! My flesh begins to creep ! How if you win ? Cinq Mars. Then I am Constable of France, and naught Forbids our public banns. Marie. How if you lose? Cinq Mars. IIojmj sickens at the thought. [Here Bapti.stk walks oul of the confessional and out at the western portal. They see Jiiin. and call, " Pere Ilyacinlhe! Vere Ilyacinlhe! " Cinq Mauh follows him to the door and calls after him. Tsabelle, who has been wait- ing oul side, comes in. They both go up to her. Saw you Pere Hyacinthe ? Isabelle. T saw a monk, cloaked like a Huguenot. Cinq Mars. Of sweet and saintly countenance? Isabelle. A face of vinegar, wine-stained and angry. A brow whereon a thimder-cloud was seated ! Marie. This could not be Pere Hyacinthe. Cinq Mars. Not he? Who was it, then ? [Grandison comes in, with hlood upon his face. 156 THE LION AT BAY Qra.ndkon. Woe! Woe! Oh, my poor master ! You poor Princess ! Now wring your hands ! Now woe}), weep scalding tears ! For Satan has encompassed you ; the Devil Has strangled justice, honor, truth, and love! Cinq Mars. Your face is scarred! There's blood! How were you hurt ? Grandison. Not I! Not I! But you, my master! You, Sweet Princess! Robbed! Oh, would that I might suffer For you ! My Grace, my father — no — your Grace, Your father, were he here, would flay his serf. That ever this day came and I survived it! Cmq Mars. Be still ! Stop ! Cahn yourself ! What troubles you '^ Why, why this fright'^ This flagellation? Grandison. Did you not see him ? Cinq Mars. Him ! Whom ? Grandison. Baptiste ! Baptiste, the Jesuit! Cinq Mars. That was Baptiste? And not Pere Hyacinthe ? Grandison. Yes! Yes! True! True! They gagged me, stole the key ; And Baptiste took the key and entered. Marie. He then heard everything, knows every- thing. [/// terror. Cinq Mars. Knows everything . . . and Ilichelieu, too . . . will. ACT SECOND 157 Marie. Have faith ! Xo harm will come. All men have loved. The child that ambles at its mother's knee, The helle of sweot sixteen, the anchorite. All who have hearts have kissed sweet Love. Yes, Richelieu himself once loved! Cinq Mars. The Queen, the Church, Fair France, himself. JSTone else! Ambition rules. That thistle of the mind Has rooted out the rose that ^rew there once ! Marie. Then God have pity on us ! Let us hope The rose, mayhap, has choked the weed ! Cinq Mars. This treaty must be signed at once ! Then Spain Will fight against him. War to the knife! No grace for Cardinalites ! And no quarter ! 158 THE LION AT BAY ACT III Scene I The Conspiracy and Enrollment The same evening, later. A room vaulted like the cata- combs. Whole stage dimly lighted. Enter Marion DE LOEME. Marion. My heart beats fiercely like some prisoned bird Pounding itself against its iron cage ! Since lisping youth I've languished in a convent And fed on roots and creeds and piety; Stale books and marble saints my boon companions. My childhood coasted down the hill of life As boys down snowy steeps. My lonely heart, If heart I had, was stone. Cinq Mars has touched it With Promethean fire. Is he some Grecian god IvTew lighted on this sphere, Antinous Reborn, Endymion ? Waste places spring To life ! The desert blooms with flowers of May. The bloom, the flush of fever burns my cheeks. Some spark electric sets my soul on fire. I wandered once in vales of asphodel ; Now thistles sting my feet, and passion-flowers And blood-stained tulips paint my pathway red. The moonlight of philosophy no longer ACT THIRD 159 Distils its essence in my veins. Ah, now Volcanic fires spout flame and smoke. I bum With expectation. Here, to-night, and soon, The King's friends meet. New light illumes my eyes. My uncle's iron hand has gripped too long The conscience of the King. Now France must have A respite from his tyrannies. [Enter Cinq Mars excitedly. Cinq Mars. The great god Fortune is a cruel god ! Marion. You seem perturbed ! Cinq Mars. 'T would shake the nerves of Vulcan ! Marion. Where have you been ? Cinq Mars. To church. Marion. But you must calm yourself. Ci7iq Mars. True ! True ! I must be calm. Marion. {Eagerly.) Have you the bracelet? Cinq Mars. Not yet! Marion. Not yet ? Cinq Mars. One man I sent to fetch it has just now Come back from Portsmouth, but had it not. Another waits, and naught will stay his hand But Death. Marion. Have you no other news ? Cinq Mars. Yes, Buckingham is dead. Marion. Dead? Cinq Mars. Dead. Murdered. Marion. Murdered ? Cinq Mars. Stabbed in his chamber by one Felton, A mad fanatic: drove his dagger deep enough To let out all his life-blood. But my Swiss 160 THE LION AT BAY Had handed him my missive and was waiting In his boudoir for his answer. Marion. My Queen ! My hapless Queen ! i!^o courtier yet Has touched the chords of Anne of Austria's heart And wakened them to ecstasies of joy Till noble Buckingham. Two days, and then The King's reception comes. My uncle knows, For Baptiste saw the Duke unclasp the fatal Jewel : and never will he let our King Forget its absence. Cinq Mars. She must be beggar for more time. Marion. But Louis' jealousy has now been fanned To furnace heat ! Cinq Mars. What man can do, my Swiss will do. Marion. How many will be here to-night ? Cinq Mars. Full thirty, armed with hope and their good swords. Marion. And Gaston, too ? Cinq Mars. Not he. We have his promise, though. [Men in masl's begin to come in, whom Marion and Cinq Mars greet cordially and converse with quietly, among them De Thou. When he enters Cinq Mars takes him aside, and Marion and the Duke de Bouillon re- ceive. (In an undertone.) How came you here, dear friend? How learned you this ? This is no place for you ! This air is poisonous. Who enters here, behind him stalks the headsman. ACT THIRD 161 De Thou. Where danger lurks for you, there is my home. Cinq Mars. In friendship's name, I beg you will withdraw. De Thou. In friendship's name, I beg you let me stay. Cifiq Mars. These are conspirators against RicKe- lieu. De Thou. I am his enemy as well as you. Cinq Mars. Our hands may soon be red with trea- son. De Thou. Your hands are not quite alabaster now. Too late ! These others know me. Should I withdraw 'Twould cast a shadow o'er your enterprise. [Bouillon comes up and shakes hands with De Thou. Bouillon. We need such Nestors here to-night. Cinq Mars. Have all our friends assembled ? Bouillon. Yes, all but Gaston. Cinq Mars. Gave all the countersign ? Bouillon. All said : " Death to King Richelieu." Cinq Mars. Friends of the King and enemies of Richelieu ! Lovers of France ! Haters of tyranny ! Who slew the Count de Soissons ? Montmorency ? Who slaughters Huguenots like swine ? Degrades Our Parliaments ? Humbles our peers and marechals ? Who sells our offices ? Who sucks our blood ? Who makes our nobles, barons bite the dust? Who lashes Freedom's back with bloody scars ? 1G2 THE LION AT BAY Who stiimps liis oftigy tipon our coins And I'nuns tlioni down our throats? These are his pinchbecks! | 77/ro«'//ic/ a Jiandful on the floor. Who stamps upon our laws 'i Tears off the robe Of majesty from God's anointed King? Throttles our priests ; smears them witli foul disgrace ? What anchorite in France escapes his blows ? Who would be papal patriarch of France, And forge the thunderbolts of Church and state? Who grabbed with greedy claws old Fontevrault, And stuffed great Chinon's keep into his maw? Who drives on fiery wheels a chariot That blazes as the sun outshines a star And {):iles the radiance of our great King's? Who builds a palace that o'ertops the Louvre, And costlier than Taj Mahal, that gem That gleams on India's breast ? [Cries of - RicheUeu! " "Monster!" ''Ty- rant!" " Robber!" Groans and jeers. I hear your groans, your jeers, and know the cause, What feverish wrongs run riot in your veins. The hatred flames to Heaven against the fiend Who's lord on land and sovereign of tlie sea. Keeps garrisons in all our forts and towns To crush our hopes and throttle Freedom's prayers. [Cries of "Murderer! " "Usurper! " "Bravo, Le Grand!" "Bravo, Cinq Mars!" How many soldiers can we muster ? One Baron. T can bring a regiment. Another. I have a troop of cavalry enrolled. ACT THIRD 163 Another. Five hundred vassals follow me. Another. Five hundred more for me. [Cries of " Three hundred! " " Tv:o hundred! " " Four hundred ! " An old Baron. (To Maeion.) I'll wear your col- ors, mademoiselle: my corps All wear pale blue ; my crest, an allumette. [They crov:d around Cixq Mars, forming a circle. Cinq Mars. Xow, what shall be our shibboleth ? [Cries, " Death to Richelieu! " " The Holy League!" "Pillars of the state!" An old Baron. Monsieur le Grand : and you, my patriot friends! We love our King, our country, and sweet peace. Vengeance belongs to God ! Our battle-cry Should not be hate and blood, but King and Peace ! Le Roi et la Paix should be our banner-cry. [Cries of "^ Bravo!" "Bravo, M. le Baron!" " Vive M. le Grand! " Cinq Mars. This watchword wells like blood from your warm hearts. " Le Roi et la Paix," this is our battle-cry. Come, let us all enroll ourselves ! [They crovjd aground Makion de Lokme, v;ho vjrites down the n/imes and. contingents each can furnish. While this is hein^ done, Cixq Maes, Bouillon, De Thou and others stand in a group talking over 'plans of action. When the enrollment is finished. Cinq Maes takes the paper and, after addimg it up, says: 164 THE LION AT BAY All told make fifteen thousand. Bouillon. 'Tis not enough. King Richelieu has more Twice told at Perpignan. A Baron. I'll bring a hundrrd more. Another. Two hundred more for me. Another. Five hundred more. [Applofiise. Another. Fifty more. Another. Ten more. [Sileiice. Cinq Mars. No more ? fNo response. (After a pause.) In case of need the Spaniard has agreed To send us seventeen thousand men. \ Murmurs. Bouillon. Those are not Frenchmen ! De Thou. (To Cinq Mars, aside.) This must not be! This smells of rankest treason ! Cinq Mars. But we must win. Necessity is above All law. When Csesar crossed the Rubicon He broke the Senate's law to free his land From anarchy's red sword, and built an empire Bounded by the sun. How oft have pygmies, When on the brink, and Hell was leagued against them, Begged Heaven to send them help. You know the lore Of ages ; know the Tuscan, the Sicilian, The Greek, the Roman, too, aye, France herself Has craved a friendly hand to help her throttle Xerxes, Apollyon, some Nemean lion. But when this Devil's whelp has broke his teeth ACT THIRD 165 On granite, then we'll pipe the Spaniard home. Come, let us swear ! [There is some reluctance. Bui at last, urged hy Cinq Maes and other enthusiasts, they all gather in a group, centre of stage, draw their swords, and raise them aloft to swear. A naked sword is now let down above their heads hy an invisible cord. Marion sees this, hut no one else. Marion. A sword ! A sword ! [All look about in consternation. Look ! See ! It turns its point toward Cinq Mars ! 'Tis — 'tis some harbinger of evil ! Thus Did the sword of Damocles hang down. [They have been looking about them, and when some of them look up, the sword has been drawn up. After they stop looking it is let down again. This horrid portent comes again ! Cinq Mars. 'Tis naught! Some fiction of the brain ! Proceed ! All. We swear! We swear! We swear! [As the oath is being taken a paper is thrown from the rear into the circle. Cinq Mars picks it up and reads it. No one knows who threw it. Cinq Mars. Some traitor is among us ! [Consternation. All look at each other. Cries of " Traitor! " " A traitor! " " Judas among us! " " Seize him! " " Shut the doors! " 166 THE LION AT BAY Marion. My servants may be false. [Goes to lock the door. [A coolness now spreads over the assembly. They separate into groups and discuss the matter. After awhile Cinq Mars speaks. Cinq Mars. Have courage, gentlemen ! All have faced death Before! If one, then all are marked! No faltering! You know our rendezvous ! All France is with us ! If any would recant, let him now speak ! [Silence. After a pause. Thank God, there are no whitened livers here ! The fate of France rests on our shoulders. You Alone, now Soisson, Montmorency's dead, Can bear your arms in this great holy war And raise aloft the banner of the free. Now let us nail our standard to the mast On land and sea ! Come, save the '' Old Eegime " ! Then France in gratitude will write our names Among the stars ! " Le Eoi et la Paix ! " All. (Shout.) " Le Roi et la Paix! " " Le Roi et la Paix 1 " ACT THIRD 167 Scene II Richelieu s Cabinet Same as first scene. Act I. Richelieu and Baptiste in earnest conversation. Richelieu. I have him by the throat : where Crom- well has King Charles ! My mastiff- fangs are buried deep ! A princess ne'er can marry save her King Consents. Besides, she is betrothed to Poland. This boy, Cinq Mars, has but a count's escutcheon; His bantam castle Langeais' tower o'ertops, And Chinon thunders death ! This bracelet ? Did you see it ? Baptiste. With both my eyes. Richelieu. And did he kiss her hand ? Baptiste. He smothered it with kisses. [^Teasing him. Richelieu. The Queen's ! How was her Majesty beminded ? Baptiste. She blushed as maidens do when amorous eyes Disclose Love's first enrapturing secret. Richelieu. She blushed! {Angrily.) Her eyes? ^Mildly. Baptiste. Her eyes seemed swimming in a sea of joy. 168 THE LION AT BAY Richelieu. Did she withdraw her hand ? [Jealous. Baptiste. Aye, once, as if the crown she'd put aside. Richelieu. The Queen drew back her hand ? [Gladly. Baptiste. But for a moment ! Then she held it forth As if the very wantonness of joy Had conquered modesty's restraint. Richelieu. {Aside.) Would God it had been mine! Would, would my mouth Could gloat at such a feast ! Oh, for one kiss ! If I could feel her velvet hand upon my mane, The lion's heart within me would be tamed ! (Aloud.) I wrote a sonnet to her Majesty, Long years ago, before Antinous Had donned the livery of wise Ulysses. She sent for me, coquetting with my love ; Before her lady's-maids she made me play The fool. They dressed me up like Harlequin, With cap and bells ; they made me amble like A popinjay; they laughed behind their fans To see the statesman play the mountebank. I thought my heart would crack with stifled pride [Baptiste is laughing in his sleeve. Love scorned is Satan's whelp! But come! This meeting ? Baptiste. There were just thirty. Richelieu. All enemies of mine? Baptiste. Excepting one. ACT THIRD 169 Richelieu. Excepting one ? Bapiiste. Our spj. Richelieu. This treaty! Has it been signed? BaptiMe. Xot yet. A courier starts with, it at once To reach, on wings of light, the Spanish capital. Richelieu. He said that Spain would lend him sol- diers ? Baptiste. Aye, so he said. Richelieu. Some seventeen thousand men ? [^Meditating. Baptiste. Aye, that he heard distinctly. Richelieu. This cannot be! Spain never would attempt it . . . Unless . . . perhaps . . . for some return of favors. In affairs of state gratuities are scarce As eagles' eggs. Baptiste. Would Spain dethrone your Eminence to set Some puppet in your shoes ? Richelieu. Send seventeen thousand men. . . . [Reflecting. The treaty signed. . . . Baptiste. T^o, to be signed. Richelieu. . . . And sent to Spain. . . . Baptiste. It must be sent there to be ratified. Richelieu. But who's to carry it ? Baptiste. Some one of the conspirators, I trow. Richelieu. But who ? Baptiste. He did not say. Richelieu. And when will it be sent ? 170 THE LION AT BAY Baptiste. At once — to-night, if not already gone. Richelieu. This shall not be ! This treaty we must have Before 'tis ratified ! Else, France must arm For war, that languishes for peace. Some one Who loves his country more than self must seize This parchment ere it sees the Pyrenees ! \^Refiecting. Santane ? That butcher has not nerve enough ! De Thou ? A princely son of a princelier sire ! Alas ! He loves Cinq Mars better than life. Count Mirabeau ? Too old ! The ague has him. I need some robber baron, poor and spendthrift. Whose castle walls are mouldering; whose eyes Are famishing for yellow gold. Ah, ha ! Laubardemont ! Laubardemont ! You know That greedy, devilish caitiff? Baptiste. Yes, well. He pants for blood as pants the panther. When starved and shivering with famine's ague. Pants for some cow^ering doe. His lands are deserts-; Chateau's a robber's den ; his daughter mad With piety and turned adrift, companion For kites and swineherds. He is in Paris, knocking Lone travellers upon the head to filch Their only sou. Richelieu. The very man we want. Where sleeps he? Baptiste. With Jacques the Butcher, do"svn in Saint Antoine. ACT THIRD 171 Richelieu. Go fetch him here ! Baptiste. At once, your Excellence? Richelieu. At once ! At once ! Before the pot has cooled The porridge should be eaten. [Baptiste starts to go. Richelieu calls after him. If Cinq Mars signs that parchment, that is treason ! I'll have his head or he'll have mine. [Baptiste goes out. Richelieu falls hacTc in his chair, sad, sick, disconsolate. Presently he recovers strength and begins to reflect. In youth I loved a maid, blue-eyed, sweet-voiced. As fair as ever lily of the vale ; A seraph kissed her at her birth, an angel Taught her faith and love and charity. I called her Artemis ; I worshipped her ; I laid my heart against her breast and vowed To follow in her train till Death should trip My heels and lay my head upon the sod. But time rolled on. Another maiden dawned Upon my sight, a statelier Diana : Dark-haired, full-browed, with voice like rippling rills ; The lightning slumbered in her eyes. She drew Me not by silken thread ; commanded me : I followed at her chariot wheels, her slave. This first love was the Church ; my second, France. [He falls forward on his knees. Sweet maiden of my earlier years ! Forgive, O Holy Bride, thy recreant swain's backsliding! And thou. Fair France, my Bride of manhood's years. 172 THE LION AT BAY - — Still rest thy hand in mine ! I'll guide thy steps Through this dark vale of woe. (Coughs.) Sustain my strength ! Already now I hear the cataract's roar. [He falls forward in a faint. Laubardemont comes in, goes to him, raises him and pids him in his chair, and fans him hack to con- sciousness. Laubardemont. You sent for me, Lord Cardinal. [Arranging his pillows. [Richelieu nods half consciously. A pause. Richelieu. Laubardemont, I have not seen you since Young Grandier was burnt for heresy In yonder forest. [In a weak and trembling voice. Laubardemont. But I have been in Paris. Richelieu. And doing what? Laubardemont. Breaking the bread of poverty. Richelieu. A footpad ! Laubardemont. Not quite so low as that ! A bandit, though. Richelieu. Your daughter, where is she ? Laubardemont. She's in the Pyrenees. Richelieu. And why ? Laubardemont. For falsehood to our Church's holy vows. I gave her to a mountaineer — a Basque — To do his menial offices, to tend His flocks — a servant dairy-maid. Richelieu. But why ? Laubardemont. As punishment for heresy. ACT THIRD 173 Richelieu. As beautiful as Luna's bow at morn, The sun paints on a virgin cloud ! Lauhardemont. A vision once of innocence ! Richelieu. Why, then, dethrone her from her high estate And mate her with base swineherds ? Lauhardemont. She grew to womanhood a Hugue- not. Richelieu. 'Twas cruelty incarnate ! She but thought The bread and wine were not Christ's bleeding flesh And ruddy blood, but emblems. Lauhardemont. A heretic ! Her mind is shattered now. She's lunatic. Richelieu. Where dwells she in the Pyrenees? Laidjardemont. 'Tis in the Pass Sebastian ; on the border. Where giant hills betroth the maiden sea. Richelieu. Loved she young Urbain Grandier ? Lauhardemont. Both him and his religion. Richelieu. Another Heloise and Abelard ! Lauhardemont. They were not married! Richelieu. But he has robbed her of her jewel ? Lauhardemont. He left her chaste as snow! But filched A gem more prized by us, her piety, And steeped her soul in heresies he brewed. Richelieu. Lauhardemont, I've work for you to do. Lauhardemont. Lord Cardinal, I've hands for work. m THE LION AT BAY Richelieu. Your daughter, would you see her? Laubardemont. No . . . Yes . . . Richelieu. This mountaineer, has he a ready hand ? Laubardemont. For anything. A brigand lives by murder. Richelieu. Then mark! This night, this day, a courier Took horses for Madrid. This Pass Sebastian, Where dwells your child, is on the way to Spain's Proud capital. This messenger will fly By horse to Orleans, and thence by couriers Of the stream adown the Loire to Tours; and, thence By horse to Biarritz, will scale the pass Beside the hut where that fierce mountaineer Now tethers your sweet child. This messenger Is burdened with a packet, worth to me And France the victory she lost at Crecy. It holds in leash the wolves of war. My fate And France's both hang upon this mission. Stab That traitor to the heart, and bring to me That treaty ! Ask, then, what you will, in gold. In lands, 'tis yours ! . . . You'll go ? Lauhardemont. As swift as Arab to avenge a brother's murder ! Richelieu. Bethink you now, will you succeed? [Laubardemont meditates. Laubardemont. I know that pass as nuns their paternosters. My father was Great Henry's forest-warden. And there I chased the stag long ere I learned ACT THIRD 175 My letters. No ! This whelp cannot escape me If I can win the pass before him ! Richelieu. And you will start ? Laubardemont. As soon as I get horse. Richelieu. There is an Arab barb within my stables Behind the Palais Cardinal, as swift As sound. Emir Pasha sent me tJiis gem Upon my six and fiftieth birthday. God Go with you ! Time is more than horseflesh ! Laubardemont. But should I kill him ? Richelieu. Your sin is pardoned ere 'tis done. Laubardemont. But should his dagger find my heart ? Richelieu. You die the Church's martyr, and your feet Your holocaust shall light through Purgatory! [Richelieu takes a cross from his own necJc and puts it around Laubardemont's neck, and kisses it. This have I worn, close to my heart, for years. Now go ! You go, the Church's David. [Laubardemont goes out. Richelieu sinks back exhausted, and after awhile gathers strength. There is no glitter in the gold that gilds My visions now, as in those halcyon days Of yore, when young ambition sought to climb That ladder Jacob, in his dream, had seen Ascending angels mount to Heaven upon. That Heaven of youth is not the haven now I seek; I, now so tossed upon the seas, 176 THE LION AT BAY So beaten, battered, bruised and bleeding, shipwrecked, No oars, no sails, no rudder, compass, nothing ! Think any port is lloavon ! Oh, how hard For him, who, buffeted by adverse winds, No wife, no child, no friend, love, anything, Must lay his head, at last, upon the breast Of Mother Earth: no hand to smooth his pillow; No eye to shed a tear ; no tongue to shi(^ld His memory from malice ! fyl fit of coughing. Die T must! . . . But die as sinks some battle-beaten ship. Colors at the masthead and cannon shotted To the muzzle, belching life's fierce requiem. I Feels his heart. It flutters ! But my liand still holds the plow, And I will drive the plowshare to the beam! Whate'er aM'aits me in those realms of rest. No man shall spit upon my grave and say Here lies a coward ! Till Death's grim angel stay The sculptor's hand, his chisel still shall carve A Phidian France, like that Olympian Jove! I still can hurl the thunderbolt ! Boy! Boy! Wilt thou — thou snatch the bolt from my old hand? My palaces ? My castles ? Plumage ? Fame ? Will you pluck out the eacle's eyes before He dies? The Church! What! Must her garments trail In the dust ? The Huguenots be lords of France ? My quiver holds one dart., yes, it holds two. And I will hurl them, poisoned with gall ! ACT THIRD 177 Poor boy ! Your shallop ne'er can sail these seas And maelstroms, churned by passion's swirling tides, Where rudders veer with every shifting breeze. Your rashness, boy, shall cost your curls ! 178 THE LION AT BAY ACT IV Scene I A salon in the palace of the Louvre. Enter two court- iers, dressed as dandies. First Fop. Cinq Mars smokes out the fox to-day ! Richelieu Would rather lose his brush, his ears, his skin Than go. Tie's burrowed here for twenty years. Second Fop. Is it so long? I hear his baggage's packed, His palanquin is ready, bearers shod. First Fop. At first to Orleans ; and thence by barge and oars Adown the Loire to Blois . . . Second Fop. {Internipting.) 'Tis there the mother of our King he dungeoned ! First Fop. Thence on to Chaumont . . . Second Fop. Cinq Mars' retainers there will line the shore And fill the air with jeers, as he floats by. First Fop. And thence to Fontevrault. . . . Second Fop. The ghost of Cceur de Lion here will taunt Him with the memory of faded glories ! First Fop. True! Cceur de Lion sleeps here, and his father. ACT FOURTH 179 Second Fop. French worms have eaten him ! First Fop. And then by the Vienne to Chinon . . . Second Fop. The jackdaw stole this from our King! First Fop. Then home to Richelieu, the pig-stye whence This parvenu began his reign of terror ! Second Fop. Already this Parisian air seems rare- fied. First Fop. Yes ! Yes ! My lungs expand more freely now ; My head could bump the stars. Second Fop. Come, let us weigh it down with Bur- gundy ! First Fop. I saw our King, to-day, buried in busi- ness, Affairs of state, up to his very ears ; Sweating and fuming, face as rod as saffron, His wig awry as if the mice had built Their nests in it ; big seals and pages everywhere. Second Fop. No wonder, with an empire dumped upon His back. First Fop. I thought old ^tna had exploded. Second Fop. The fox resigned his burrow once too often, [Satirically. These cares of state so troubled him. [Laughing. First Fop. He needed rest so much. [In derision. Second Fop. " I pray you. Sire, relieve me of my load. Pray find some younger shoulders." 180 THE LION AT BAY First Fop. " I sink beneath the burden of your honors." Second Fop. " Take back jonr palaces." First Fop. " This Pahiis Cardinal, it is too large." Second Fop. '' Chinon too large a burden for mj purse." First Fop. " My equipage too gi*and for me." Second Fop. Come, let us drink his health in Bur- gundy. First Fop. His deep damnation! Second Fop. An easy passage on to Hades ! First Fop. And here's an obolus for Charon. [^Taking a coin from his pocket. Second Fop. This friend of old Pisistratus. First Fop. And Nero, fiddling 'mid the flames of Rome. Second Fop. Come, come, we're wasting time. [They go out arm in arm. [Enter the Queen and Cinq Mars. Cinq Mars. Your Majesty is sad to-day. Queen. For I have lost a friend. Cinq Mars. Your Majesty has other friends. Queen. Companions many, but, alas, few friends! That sweet commingling of the wine of life Which we call friendship comes but seldom. Oh, Our royal lives are hedged about with spies; We are bombarded by so many eyes, Bitten by tongues, shot at by jealousies. And churlish envy dog.s our heels so closely That friendship, when it comes, is doubly welcome. ACT FOURTH 181 No news as yet from England ? Cinq Mars. Not yet. Three couriers have gone to Calais, Lashed into fury by my scolding tongue. Queen. The fear of their defeat has made me heart- sick. This Felton ! Have you heard no more of him, What motive was the rowel spurred him on To kill the Duke of Buckingham ? Cinq Mars. He said that Buckingham fomented strife, Fed to King Charles suspicion's hellebore. Wasted no love on England or her people; Besides, there was, 'tis said, some girl, some sister. Some maid of honor Buckingham deceived. Queen. His Grace of Buckingham could ne'er do that ! [^Resentfully. 'Twas he who came a-wooing for Prince Charles And led our Henrietta back to England. The curse of courts is this; the biting curse Of station is that arrows aimed at them Are dipt in envy, malice, guile, suspicion, Those black alembics brewed from fiendish poisons. Toan of Arc, the saintliest of maids, Those devils daubed as black as Erebus. Cinq Mars. Ah ! Then this was some idle tale the winds In wantonness have swept across the Channel. Queen. Your couriers, when they come back, bring me 182 THE LION AT BAY At once their message ! Oh, that gilded gewgaw I 'Tis worth a kingdom now to France's Queen ! Cinq Mars. Before the messenger has caught his breath I'll bring his message here. Queeru To-daj goes Richelieu to Orleans ? [Cinq Mars nods. Banished ? Cinq Mars. Aye, so the ravens say. His Majesty Has ta'en the seal of state, and packed him off To old Touraine for rest and its enchantments. 'Tis time his cavalcade should come Along the river. Hark. I hear it now. [The noise of tramping horses is heard in the dis- tance. Queen. My mind is deluged with misgivings, and The unexpected is their paramour. When in the deadly breach some novel wile Will always raise its horrid form to front us. Cinq Mars, l^o fear ! His Majesty has taken down The sword of state : his cabinet is lined With secretaries and ambassadors In double rows. [Shouting is heard without, jeers and groans. Enter the Princess de Gonzaga. Queen.. What noise is this ? Princess. The Ex-King, Richelieu, goes by! The people Shout their jeers and groans and riddances. [Cinq Mars goes to the window and opens it. ACT FOURTH 183 Murmurs, groans, jeers come in. " Mur- derer!" "Tyrant! " Queen. At last I breathe without restraint ! A load Is lifted from my breast. That cloud, that pall Of doom is lifting. [Enter the Queen Dowager. Queen Dowager. A funeral is passing by ! 'Tis Richelieu's ! The streets are gay with revellers, as if Some wedding pageant passed. Hear you their pseans ? [Enter Coligny. Coligny. (Satirically.) May I, too, see the con- queror pass ? No Roman Has ever triumphed so before. They shadowed. Thronged their roofs and temples, and built arches To celebrate the coming of their victor : Paris throws up its hat to see ours go. [Enter other courtiers, dancing ivith unrestrained joy. A Courtier. Your Majesties! Forgive, forgive our joy To know that this Colossus' feet are clay ! Queen. Yes, show your joy howe'er you will ! [Some one extemporizes music and they all join in a minuet. Before it is finished the King comes in haste and anxiety. King. Has Richelieu gone ? Coligny. Yes, gone, and God be praised ! [Shouts of joy. King. Go call him back! Find him! Bring him! He must 184 THE LION AT BAY Return ! These burdens are too great for me To bear ! The affairs of Spain, of Portugal, Of England, these I cannot solve alone. Half England has revolted ! Rank rebellion Faces King Charles ! One Cromwell heads the rebels. Charles begs for help : wants troops to curb these traitors. Richelieu has counselled patience, for fear that I, By taking up the hatchet for my brother, Provoke the Puritans, and, should they win, E'er long the weight of England fall on us. I need a pilot knows these shoals and reefs And maelstroms of diplomacy ; I must Have one can guide the staggering ship of state, Now wallowing in this angry trough. I . . . I . . . I was not trained for this hard task. The ways Of peace and pleasure, soft dalliance with toil. These were the midnight oils I burned. [While he is speahing a horseman, hooted and spurred and covered with tnud, enters and hands a pachet to Cinq Mars. A maid of honor calls the Queen to the side (front), where Cinq Mars gives it to her. She un- does it, takes out the bracelet, and puts it on her arm. Queen. (Aside.) My throne, my honor now are safe ! [The QuEEN^ Queen Dowager, Cinq Maes and CoLiGNY approach the King. My Sire, be not, we beg, infirm of purpose, ACT FOURTH 185 Nor rash in jour decision. The joke joii wear Will soon adjust itself. It galls jour neck, Weighs heavilj at first, but counsellors And use will lighten it. Queen Dowager. Mj noble son, jour father, great ^Navarre, Oft groaned beneath his load, impatient seemed In small affairs e'en to the verge of madness. But burdens seemed to stead j him, as cargoes Will keep the great leviathans of ocean Upon an even keel. Be patient jet Awhile. Your ejes will soon become accustomed To the light. When prisoners are freed from dungeons Their ejcs at first are blinded bj the glare Wliich afterwards can match the eagle's sight. Let us be helpers. We, jour faithful Queen And mother, know the labjrinths of state, Will find the golden cord will guide jou through Unto the light. [Enter Richelieu — pale, wan. Richelieu. Your Majestj has sent for me. King. Welcome, Lord Cardinal ! . I was so much Absorbed in state affairs I knew not Your going till I heard this noise. Richelieu. Bullfrogs and ravens croaking at the sun! King. I want to breathe again the sweet aroma Of jour wise advice. Richelieu. (Feigning reluctance; has fit of cough- ing.) Your Majesty must not forget Death's angel Is beckoning me and will not be denied. 186 THE LION AT BAY King. A little rest, to breathe again the air Of old Touraine, your native heatb, then you Can look Death out of countenance. You are Isoi old in years. Richelieu. Nor young in cares. King. Good Cardinal, I faithfully have tried To learn the stops and frets of that great organ Which, 'neath your touch, discourses harmonies Will echo through the royal courts of Europe As some cathedral's diapason will set The echoes dancing in true measure. My j&ngers are not deft enough for such Diplomacies. Richelieu. {With feigned obsequiousness.') Your Majesty is gracious. Nov7 your lips Distil the honeys of Hymettus. King. The just reward of long and faithful service ! Richelieu. (Aside.) It was not always thus. The taste of gall Was ne'er a stranger to my lips. King. Ingratitude is oft the crime of kings. Let bygones pass ! Take up the reins again And drive again the quadriga of state. Richelieu. I am too weak, infirm, to hold the reins; I fear the fate of Phaeton. King. Not Phaeton, but his great father Phoebus. Richelieu. (Still feigning unwillingness.) I must protest. I am not well. If you, Your Majesty, decline the august duty, Confer it on some worthier servant, one ACT FOURTH 187 Who loves his country more. Why not Cinq Mars ? King. A boy of four and twenty years to hold The conquering sword o'er France and Europe ? Richelieu. Her gracious Majesty, the Queen, might take The royal sceptre. [In mock earnestness. King. She has her son to educate, a court To interest and pacify. Richelieu. The royal Dowager of France, your gra- cious Mother, she might be persuaded. King. The reign of petticoats is o'er in France. France needs a hand of steel to keep her barons From tearing the ermine off her King. [Baptiste enters in haste and hands a sealed packet to Richelieu. It is the coveted treaty. Richelieu breaks the seal, opens and scans it with eagerness, then delight, excusing him- self to the King for the delay. Richelieu. Your Majesty will pardon me a mo- ment. ... Should I take up the sword, your Majesty Would wrest it from me soon again. King. No — never ! This I swear before the Court. [Consternation. 'Richelieu. With what authority, what power would you Invest your minister ? King. Full power, as formerly, to do whate'er The needs of France require. 188 THE LION AT BAY Richelieu. To punish traitors ? King. Most certainly ! Richelicti. E'eu it* their foot bosinonr tlio tlirone. Tread iijion tlio roLos of rovnlty? Kimj. Tho nearer to tboir King-, tlio uioro tlieir lioarts Slionld love and honor him. Riclielieu. (Eagerly.) This treaty made with Sjiain ? King. What treaty? Richelieu. The treaty yon made yesterday. King. I made no treaty, neither countenanced Nor siii'iied a treaty! RichcJieu. This treaty I have here? King. Where ? Riclielicn. TTere in my hand. [Exhibits it. King. Lot mo see it. Riclielieu. Your Majesty shall know its im|H)rt. lR.eading it. This paper hoars tho date of yesterday. That day 'twas sent to Spain. That day I sent A messenger to follow it, to seize it By force or gnilo. TTo overtook tho hearer Three hours as:o at Orleans and ho shot The traitor like a dog. He found this parchment Hidden within his boot, and brought it here To me. This parchment gives to Spain our forts Along the border; Spain agrees to send Troops, seventeen thousand strong, to France at once. ACT FOURTH 189 These are to meet the forces of the King Your Majesty commands at Perpignan. King. Who signed this villainous agreement? Richelieu. Your Majesty shall sec yourseli". [Hands it to ike Kino. King. (After examining it.) Cinq Mars. IC'onsternation. Several voices: "Cinq Mars!" Princess de Gonzaga faints. Commotion. Is this your signature ? \_To Cinq Mars. [Cinq Maes Ijows his head. A traitor — double-dyed! [Silence, and pause. Richelieu. What is your Majesty's behest? King. Whate'er his minister commands! Richelieu. (To the guards.) This traitor to the Conciergerie ! Another sun shines over France to-day ! No ! 'Tis the same ! But yesterday eclipsed ! [Guards arrest Cinq Mars. King turns his hack upon him and walks alone out of the salon. Queen, Queen Dowager, Gaston and the courtiers follow. As the King passes Riche- lieu he says in a low tone: Richelieu. Your Majesty, the bracelet! [King turns to the Queen. King. I asked your Majesty to wear to-night That bracelet I gave you on our wedding-day. Queen. I have obeyed your Majesty. [Shows him the bracelet. [Richelieu is left alone. 190 THE LION AT BAY Scene II Same scene, with the lights turned down. Its gaiety has departed. Richelieu sitting alone, writing. Richelieu. 'Tis like the slaughter of the innocents to slay That boy ! Straight from his mother's arms he leaped Into this vortex of diplomacy, And breasted it with lusty arms. Strange marvel! Hyperion's curls upon the head of Nestor ! I could have kissed those soft, sweet, ruby lips. How can I face his plaintive eyes when they Are turned upon me on the Judgment Day ? [He reads over the paper he has been writing — it is the order for Cinq Mars' execution — and rin^s for a secretary. This whole scene is acted with suppressed, intense emotion, for both Richelieu and Maeion Jcnow all that has so far happened and, out of regard for each other, suppress their feelings. Robert, one copy in a fair, round hand ; Attach the se^l of state, and bring it here. When finished, for my signature. [Robert goes out. (Soliloquizing.) The Square of Henry IV. 'Tis handy to The Conciergerie ! The hour of dawn. I always waken at the dawn. My hour of prayer ! When the great orb of life has frightened night, Then is the freshened soul fittest for sweet ACT FOURTH 191 Communion. How many a man has shuffled oflF His mortal cerements at dawn ! Cinq Mars Was always in the fashion ; shall be still. [Kings a hell; another secretary comes in. A messenger to the Conciergerie To bring Cinq Mars in half an hour here. [Marion enters, dressed in black, and approaches slowly. In weeds? And why, sweet Marion? Your eyes Are lead ; your step is like the galley-slave's, Dragging behind him his torturing weight of chain. Cheer up, my pretty bird ! Come sing to me, Sweet nightingale, the joys of maidenhood! Marion. I am not well. Richelieu. Not well ? Then you must see some leech. [^He moves to ring the hell, hut she stops him. Marion. It is my heart that's sick. Richelieu. Some medicine will lighten it. Marion. My soul is sad. Richelieu. (Banteringly.) Would?st rather have some mender of bad soles ? Marion. My head is swimming like a bladder in the air. Richelieu. Valerian, my dear, will quiet it. Come sit you here and I will wrap my cloak About you. \^Rises to help her to a chair. Marion. I fear I ne'er shall sleep again. Richelieu. 'Tis too much gaiety! To-night you'll sleep 102 I'lIK lilON AT HAY r'ntni vMMiriiii'MM. Tlioito /'JiomIii I liiil liiiiiiil oiii' iiiilH Ami In/'Jilcii III lliiMi' cilViNi lli(> iiiii'iivi nl' (^hifcii IMnli, will) wmilil iiiioinl, niir iili<('|ili>iii4 nycN Willi iililliili<'r'M Imlni, I Imuu gllUMl'i will VViMiiiiicMM All'ri^^;lil,. Miiimii. No mI<'<'|i, I I'rjir, will vmil, my riml ( III) |iiiiii. It h IkI K'li No lining \ r\ rnimol ;ilt'i>|) ^ I 1\I A UloN llihls. W'lllMO llo \o|| Mllllol'^ I M,\lill>IN j>otn(s /l) h(l IllUIlL 'I'lio iniiiil iliM(>ilii<l «'oiil.| not lllllV Till' liimln I h'hhi'lii'ii. 'I'liiil Willi I )iium'M (MMiiic. Miiriitll. I illil I lli< 'iilllio, lull dill liol llll\i< lirr Willlil. liii'ln'lit'ii. ^ oil ii|ii'iiK III riilillt'M. Sil voii licrc. I Know Till' ImiIiii lor MotiiK itlllicliMJ iiiIikIm. I III' iin/i's hrr In sil. tShr Ih'siIhIis. hiil /iinilli/ fulfills. Mitih>ii Noil Kiiuw llio ImiIiii lor mo. niul vol Willi liol.l AC'i" ii'oDirni ii):i It II lirl nil. VVIiiil ift iJin riii'ft'^ l\l III inn I >iMMi < 'iin| M iiin li V" i I Kmiii ii:i I iMi iiiiilu. Ami llil'.lu'.lii'il, Nol, you, "I'/n only loi lini cMfM. M'lrinn If yonr rdndilion r,l,(i|»f', liny rolio ol' mnn l.oo.l i'roin oil III', Idi'l' lie, M'iVso|iliy lier iiiiioidi^lit slieds To li<;liteM Sleep's sweet, labors. [They lie down, on llirir coiiclics and llic shu/c Is dimmed (o d-ncss. Wliilf llici/ sleep. Maicion siny Ificliclicn ? T 11X71 licy. Y(^h, nil. /A; 'J'li.ou. And nil l)r;ivc men? Turnkey. All died, Ihcir lnind:( ii|>on llicir IicihIh. dhiKi Mar.H. (iood .l;ic(|ii(vi, how did llicy rohc Ihcni- HfdvCH Ut irKXil, 'J'Ik! lujiidHirian ? 212 THE LION AT BAY Turnkey. In different garbs, as suited each. Cinq Mars. We two are dressed as for my wedding- For I had thought the priest would shrive me, And not the headsman. [ They all go out. Scene II The Execution The gray of morning. A square in Paris, showing the equestrian statue of Henry Fourth, and behind it a scaffold draped in black. People passing or collect- ing to see the execution. A knife-pedlar; a shoe- maker with sabots strung across his shoulders; a mason; a tailor; a carpenter, on his way to his work, with his tools in his hands; a street musician with a violin, another with a flute; a merry -andrew ; a dog-fancier ; a gambler showing tricks at cards. These are all conspirators in disguise. Three of them are Duke de Bouillon, Coligny, and Marion de LoRME^ who is dressed as a nun. Coligny and Bouillon pretend to be returning from an all-night revel, and appear intoxicated. Coligny. Oh, what a night of bacchanalian fun! My head's a hogshead, seething with fumes and aches, A geyser, spouting vapors. Ugh ! It reels And floats and bubbles like a cauldron. ACT FIFTH 213 Bouillon. (Feigning intoxication.) Mine swims as bladders do upon the waves ; 'Tis filled with gas ! Are you two men or one ? Marion. You need some effervescent medicine To still these vapors of the brain. Coligny. What's this? An execution? The stage is readv. Some poor unlucky waif upon life's sea Sails into port to-day. Bouillon. Perhaps some hungry oaf has filched a loaf Of bread, and pays the forfeit ! Coligny. {To a hy slander.) My man, whose wed- ding-day is this ? Bystander. ]^o wedding-day. 'Tis Cinq Mars' fu- neral ! Bouillo7i. Cinq Mars ! Who's he? Bystander. A friend of Richelieu. Another. King Louis' friend! His sword was at the throat Of Eichelieu ! Coligny. (Pointing to the statue.) His royal fa- ther, yonder, ne'er regaled His friends in such a bloody fashion ! Bouillon. Tut ! Tut ! The stones have ears. Three-card-monte Man. Come pick your card ! Who wins gets twenty sous. Don't be frightened of the widow ! She's a lucky card ! \_Two or three gather around, him. The dog-fancier shows off a trick with his dog. 214 THE LION AT BAY Dog-fancier. Pitch jour coppers at him ! He'll catch them in His mouth. Don't throw him any francs or louis! They'll break his teeth. [Two cooks hurry in. First Cook. You said he was to die at dawn ! Second Cook. Yes, dawn! So Jacques the Jailer told ray wife. First Cook. I've left the coffee on the hob and the bread In the oven, and can't wait long. These Butchers are so slow sometimes. Who swings The axe to-day ? Old Jacques ? Second Cook. JSTo, Young Jacques, I hear ; and he's no novice With his axe. Young Jacques can cut with Twice the skill of his old daddy. No mutton Will be cleaner cut. He's the slaughterer at the Shambles in Saint Antoine. [The snuffled notes of a drum are heard, and a procession appears, comprising half a dozen halberdiers, escorting Cinq Mars, De Tiiou a7id Pp:re Hyacinthe. They kneel in the middle of the stage. The Jailer. Ten minutes, so my orders read, For your farewells and prayers. [Tlic halberdiers fall back a little. Cinq Mars and De Tnou and tlie priest kneel and say their prayers. Meanwhile, at the side of the stage : ACT FIFTH 215 Marion. How many giuirdsmen are there ? [/??- an undc.rionp. Bouillon. I sro but six. Marion. That's all I see! How many do we num- ber? Bouillon. I sec bnt twenty-nine. There should be th i rty. Marion. Some one is late. Bouillon. Some one may play us false. Marion. But we are five to one. The horses, are they ready ? Bouillon. Two stand beside the nave of Sainte Chapelle, Both picked by Grandison, and two disjyuises. Marion. But which way shall they ride ? Bouillon. That circumstance must tell. But this seems wise. On mounting;, they should separate, and owe Should ride towards Saint Denis; the other ride Adown along the Seine. At Saint Cloud bridge A boat is moored, which either one can take And row down-stream, and on to Rouen, Havre, And there take ship for England. Is one headed, Cut off, let him bestir himself for Cluny, Where some one waits for him, to let him in And vanish. Thence his eager steps can reach The Catacombs, where food for twenty days Is garnered, till we spirit him to Spain. Marion. Well planned ! We cannot fail. [Softly to Cinq Mars. 216 'rilM LION AT HAY 'I'lic wiiidn ol IdrhiiKi Mow uui' way iiiid licuir Our ciilorpriHc (o Hiifcly'H liiii'l)<»r. ('iiKf Miirs. hllcniily'H ^rcal. hcii Iiiih ImiI, (hio |M»rl, Of <'iil,i"v. I)«iiilli HliimlH Hciilry al. ilH pile! No rdviiif.' wIikIh ciiii (''(ir il.H siirliHT iiilllc. "riw landlocked '^iiiiiMt. Ill(^ hIopiiis of envy, niallco, Andiilion, InsI, of |M»\vt'r, ^rccd of \\v\i'. 'I'Ik^ Hilnifc (d o|(li\i(in Im licarl's caw* To W(n»ry |>ilf;'rini,s »»n llir llioniv road (^f \\'i^\i (Midcavor. Mdnou. hcalli Im anndiilal ion ! Kdlci' far 'I'o linri (lir iliMcns, llion/j;li il inins its aim, Than nil and .si/di williin ni;^ld'H lint lcrin|!; lent. Iloff now ai'c Iwrnlv nine swttrn fricndH. (^niij Mars. T\\v l.liiilictli is a liaitoi! Ih* wili Icil Wlinlo'rr jiclidc yon lici'c, and hoir yonr nanic^H To Ivicliclicn'H (|iii<'k car. II is slcntli ImnndH llicii Will linid from Saint MicIicTs lone rock away To wlicrc Siro<'co siiif^s its nicl(MlicM To Afric'M Haldc Hons, atid find llicni all And tear IIkmu litnl) from lind>. Marion. All, all have shi|t|>cd for this sanu^ voya^*, and conl(^ What, nuiy, wc all slaMild die* t.o^^ctla^r. (^iiKf !\l(irs. Not so! "Pis Ix^tlcr two than (liirly: Letter Wo di(> tluin civil war should aproad its winfj^H, lt,H vnlturo \vin/^H o'or V^'ancc^ Snnk in tlu^ s(^a, No ripple Hoon will tell onr sepidchie. l''rancc will hreatlw^ easier when we are ptno. ACT FlI'Tll 217 Jailer. Tlic l,iiii»< lor Ijin-wdls and praycrH Ih crHh^d. [^Whilc the procession, is fonnin/j to ('r foiirlh. 'TiH Sal iiiday. RichcUra. Two inonliiH, l.wo inoiilii.s Hiiicr', ('inf| Mai-H difd. Ah, rn<(! [ lillici thoii^hl, to Iroad u[)on fiiH ]^^•('^H So Hoon. (Hi(jhs) I'lil, Tiirirr, \]\i^, (Jroal, Avcnfroir., makes Uh all, llic priru'f!, iJif, [)ri<^Hl,, iJifi lovor, yen, T]u' Haiiit, i\\<'. rifli, tjic [)oor, can run. Isahclle. Vm not a jumping-jack. I cannot run and skip as if I were a schoolmaster. Joe. Well, well, now let us see if you can rend the rest. Isahellc. (Eeadinij.) "Light — fires — on Berg Isel — and — on — the — Brenner — to-morrow — night — at — sunset." That's all. Joe. My God ! Do you read true ? Isahelh. Indeed T do. Read it yourself. Joe. (Tal'inf] (lie paper.) You rend it very well, as well as I could read myself. Go send your mistress here. Now run away. fIsABELLE goes after Gretchen. Joe. (Musing.) To-morrow! To-morrow night at sunset! Thaidc God the fight begins! " Light fires on Berg Isel and on the Bremier. Rouse the Passayerthal and Pusterthnl." Four mountains to be climbed ! They are twenty miles apart. [^TJie sound of galloping horses is heard. Enter two Ouardsmen of the Bavarian police. ACT FIRST 255 First Guardsman. Where does Andreas Hofer live ? Joe. This is his inn. First Guardsman. Is he at home ? Joe. 'Tis not nij liome. I do not know. First Guardsman. When will he be at home ? Joe. I'm not his keeper. Ask of those that know. [Gretchen comes in, is surprised to see the Guardsmen. Joe tips her the wink. Joe. Here comes his daughter; she may know. First Guardsman. Tliis inn is Andreas Hofer's? Gretchen. It is. First Guardsman. Is he at home? Gretrhen. No, not to-day. First Guardsman. Wliere has he jjone? Gretchen. He's in the mountains, hunting. First Guardsman. (Winks at Second Guardsman. Aside.) These rebels all are in the mountains hunting. Second Guardsman. He will be at homo to-night? [.TosEPir makes a cautionary motion to Gretotien. Gretchen. Unless the deer beguile his steps too far or other cause delay him. First Guardsman. (Satirically.) How very defi- nite! Come, let us have some beer. Have you Bava- rian beer? Gretchen. We have Tyrolean beer. First Guardsman. Shall we try that ? Second Guardsman. N'o, no. It gives me water- brash. Gretchen. They have Bavarian beer at the Hotel Boule d'Or sometimes, across the mountains. 256 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS First Guardsman. Too far away ! Gr'etchen. Will you not try our native wine ? We call it " Maedchen-Mileh." The Tyrolese adore it. First Guardsman. The name is quite alluring. [As Gretchen goes to fetch it Joe makes motions to her to put into it some sleeping decoction. First Guardsman. Know you one Joe ? He's often hereabout. Some people call him " Hunter Joe." [Joe startled, hut soon composed. Joe. I know some hunters, and I've heard the name of Joe. First Guardsman. Most people have. [Amused at Joe's apparent simplicity. Joe. (Feeling his way.) A tall, ungainly man? First Guardsman. Yes. That is his description. Joe. He has a gun. First Guardsman. Most hunters have. Joe. He hunts among the mountains ? First Guardsman. (Amused.) Chiefly in cities! There game is plentiful. Joe. A worthless (Guardsman nods), shiftless, (Guardsman nods), brainless, good-for-nothing oaf. First Guardsman. Yes, yes, so people say. Joe. His father owns the salt mines down at Hall ? First Guardsman. Yes, that's the man. A famous shot. The best in all the Tyrol. Second Guardsman. At all the schiitzenfests this guzzling Joe is loaded down with prizes. Joe. I think I've heard of him somewhere. [Here Gretchen comes in with the wine and sets ACT FIRST 257 tJie two glasses on the table, smiling to Joe, but soon withdraws to hide her anxiety for his welfare. First Guardsman. That wine is fit for the gods to drink. (Joe pretends he would like some.) I'm sorry for you, Sorrel-Top. 'Tis not for you ! First Guardsman. We've scoured the country round from here to Innsbruck in search for Joe. Joe. That vagabond ? First Guardsman. Yes, Joe, the vagabond. Second Guardsman. He's wanted by the Governor at Innsbruck. Joe. For what ? Second Guardsman. For treason against Bavaria. Joe. This brainless, shiftless, guzzling vagabond ? Second Guardsman. Yes — he. First Guardsman. A price is offered for his head. Joe. A price? (Coolly.) How much? First Guardsman. A thousand marks. Joe. But is he worth so much ? First Guardsman. That's not for us to say. 'Tis a big round sum ! • Joe. (Meditating.) Well, that's an object. And now I think of it, I saw a fellow yesterday at Inns- bruck might fit your coat. The people called him Joe. He won the prize at Botzen a day or two before. Second Guardsman. And so did " Hunter Joe," I heard. Joe. A cross-grained man. First Guardsman. So we hear. 258 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Joe. An ignorant cub. Second Guardsman, He cannot read or write. Joe. {A little ashamed, and looking sheepisJily at Gretchen.) I did not see him read. But I should think this man could read. First Guardsman. He hated school, this Joe. And when the other boys were at their books, this Joe was in the woods, and hunting. Joe. A very dunce. First Guardsman. A brother of old Baalam's ass. Joe. {Half -angry.) Yes, so 'twould seem. First Guardsman. Come, help us find this fellow, and we will give you part of our reward. Joe. How much ? First Guardsman. A hundred marks. Joe. But how much down ? First Guardsman. Why, fifty. Joe. In hand ? First Guardsman. (To Second Guardsman.) How many marks have you ? Second Guardsman. Twenty. First Guardsman. (Counting.) Yes, in hand. Joe. Then let me see the silver. First Guardsman. (Shoiving it.) See how it shines. Joe. Well, count it out! [First Guardsman counts out fifty marks and hands it to Joe, ivho coolly buttons it up in his pocket. First Guardsman. He is a monstrous shot, this fel- low. A hunter told me this but yesterday. He saw ACT FIRST 259 the trick. Joe took his hunting-knife — a knife like yours — and drove the blade into a tree, back to, then took his gun and ran dog-trot and loaded as he ran, then whirled and fired and split the ball upon the blade. Second Gvardsman. lie shot an apple in a hunter's hand ! Joe. He did ? God pity then Bavarians on whom he draws a bead ! Second Guardsman. We'd rather meet the devil than meet this mountain goat. Joe. (Aside.) A mountain goat is better than " old Baalam's ass." [These men, who have heen growing sleepy from the drugged wine they have drunk, now fall asleep. Emelia and the Baron return, and Joe shows Emelia the paper and they drau) to the side of the stage. Emelia. My eyes drink vip these words! 'Tis war at last ! [She shows the paper to the Baron. All confer in low tones. Emelia. It will take four to do this work. Joe, you must take Berg Isel, and Isabelle the Schneeberg. Gretchen and I will go to Meran and rouse the minute- men. Joe. But who will warn tho Pusterthal ? [All look toward the Baron. He makes no re- sponse. Emelia. (To the Baron). A bonfire must be built upon the Shreckberg before the sun goes down. 260 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Baron. It is too far! Cannot be done! Emelia. But will jou try ? Five thousand men are waiting to see that beacon-light ! [Baron shakes his head in hesitation, while all look at him anxiously. Emelia. {Aside to the Baron.) You sav you love me, say you wear your heart Upon your face, your eyes are books wherein I ought to read your tragedy of love. You mope and heave deep sighs and say my heart Is ice or it would melt beneath this heat. Now will you light this fire for me ? Baron. Yes. I will do what man can do. [They all go off in different directions. As Joe goes out he tn-r^is scornfully at the sleeping Guardsmen. Joe. (Between his teeth.) If ever I draw bead on you, 'twill not be Baalam's ass that kicks you. Scene III Next day. Same scene.. Ahoid sunset. As the curtain rises it discloses a grort-p of women at luork preparing articles for the soldiers, Emelia and Gretciien among them, dressed as hospital nurses, giving direc- tions. Some are picking lint, some tearing bandages, some sewing, blankets, shirts, and packing them in boxes. A group on the side are moulding bullets. ACT FIRST 261 Emelia. Gretchen and I have been to Meran. All The people, men and women, e'en the children, Are at white-heat with patriotic ardor. Five thousand men, with guns, pitchforks and scythes And half a score of cannon, minutemen, Will answer Hofer's call to arms. They march To-night for Sterzing. A Woman. Let God be praised ! Another Woman. They must have blankets, food . . . Another. Powder and bullets . . . Another. And lint and bandages to dress their wounds . . . Another. Mothers and sisters to nurse them . . . Another. And priests to bury them. Another. Women .to dig their graves and cover them with hemlock boughs so no Bavarian can tell the num- ber of our dead. \_A dozen children^ boys and, girls, com-e shipping up the stage from the corner of the church. Some women try to stop them. Anna. Here come the children! School is out! Gretchen. Oh, let them have their dance ! Anna. Yes, yes, poor dears ! Be merry while you can ! Your feet will soon Be leaden. First Woman. Eyes like rivulets — 'Emelia. Their voices Attuned to war's great diapason ! [The children dance an informal Tyrolean dance 262 THE TYRQLESE PATRIOTS about the stage, their feet keeping time to the music of this song: Sparkling and bright, With joy bedight, The langhing brook sings on its way And bears upon its silver spray The words the mountain echoes say, Joyous and free, Babbling with glee. Love thou, O sea, Our life so free ! The music of our sighing pines, The gems that sparkle in our mines, Our nectars and our crystal wines Borne in our arms Are blest with charms. On spirit wing Upward we spring, Ethereal shapes of air and cloud Returning from old ocean's shroud, We Naiad Queens, ghostly and proud, The Mist and Foam, Returning home! \^As the sun is setting the Angelus tolls twelve strohes from the church tower. The dance ACT FIRST 263 stops. The children and women kneel and cross themselves, bowing their heads arid re- peating their Pater Nosters. Then they rise and reverently march in procession through the church doors. When they have entered they are heard singing the vesper hymn. After this is finished. Col. Dittfurt and two soldiers enter. They are dressed in Ba- varian uniforms. Dittfurt. All rebels ! All this land is honeycombed With treason ! Yes, the very priests here preach Sedition. All the abbeys have been closed, The bishops exiled, friars ostracized, And yet Rebellion poisons the very air ! No priest should say the mass without the King's Consent, or take the oath of true allegiance. 'Tis this that staggers them ! They blink and bite Their tongues and hem and haw and bolt this oath. No priest should wear his surplice, pardon sins, Or raise the chalice to his traitorous lips ; And yet they lead their flocks to sheltered cotes And slyly feed them with the bread of life. And when I chase them from one den, they find Some other covert in a twinkle. Soldier. Must we hunt them with fire and sword ? Dittfurt. Such are my orders! Naught but fire and sword Will kill these weeds of treason and sedition. Soldier. Here's Hofer's Inn. There's no one here. 264 THE TYRQLESE PATRIOTS Dittfurt. Go through the house. Smoke out the rats ! [Soldier goes into the house and conies out. Soldier. 'Tis silent as a sepulchre. Dittfurt. But sepulchres have oped their jaws be- fore And vomited the fumes of Hell. [They hear the voice of the priest saying the mass. One of the soldiers opens the door and looks in. Second Soldier. The mass is being celebrated. Dittfurt. The mass ? And here ? Great Hell ! An unfrocked priest ! [He looks in at the church door. 'Tis Friar Joachim. Damn'dest of traitors. Clear the church ! Soldier. With bayonets ? Dittfurt. Yes, bayonets ! No, wait ! Where are the dogs ? Go bring the wolf-hounds here. [Soldier goes for the dogs. Soldier. There are no men. They're women, chil- dren, kneeling. Dittfurt. Before an unfrocked priest. 'Tis rank rebellion Against the law. Bring on the dogs. Soldier. They have not fed to-day. Other Soldier. (Bringing them in leashed.) I scarce can hold them. See how their teeth are gleaming with hunger. ACT FIRST 265 Dittfurt. They soon will have enough. Throw wide the doors ! [^Soldier unleashes the dogs, who hound through the door. The harking of dogs and screaming of women and children is heard. Soon women and. children rush out on to the stage, pell- mell, and terror-stricken. Some kneel and raise their hands to Heaven for protection. I'll teach you rebel curs the majesty of law. [Emelia comes out with a child in her arms, frightened and bleeding. She tries to com- fort the child. Never you mind the brat ! It serves her right ! Emelia. The man who strikes a woman is a coward. [Dittfurt draws his sword. Dittfurt. The man who called me that would die. Emelia. Who sets such hounds of Hell on women, helpless, Defenceless children, he is a devil ! Dittfurt. No more ! No more ! Beware ! Emelia. Your heart's a very fiend's ! No threat of yours Can make me blench. Strike, strike me if you dare ! These women here will tear yon limb from limb. The sword of God or man ere long shall fall Blood-red and dripping on your head ! Remember ! Dittfurt. I never feared the face of man or God. When Fate decrees my death shall come, then only. The law ranks petticoats with trousers. Nail, Nail up the doors! \To the soldiers. 266 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS \_As the soldiers are about to execute this order. Father Joachim comes out of the church, and raises his hands to command peace. Father Joachim. Peace ! Peace, my children ! We must kiss the hand That chastens us, for so our Master taught. Forgive your enemies ! 'Tis this that makes The Christian people nobler than prophet Or philosopher e'er taught. [^He comes down among them. All bow their heads to receive his blessing, while the curtain falls. ACT SECOND 267 ACT II Scene I The Rendezvous at Sterzing. Night. A mountain gorge, crossed hy a stone bridge. Rose-colored Dolo- mites in the distance. Enter Andreas Hofer, Peter Gruber and Joseph de Medici. Hofer and Gruber are dressed as Tyrolese hunters. De Me- dici as a scholar. The former are about thirty-five years old, the latter about sixty. Hofer has a long red heard, De Medici, a long gray one. Hofer. What lightning changes these three days have brought ! We then were thirty. !N^ow we're thirty thousand. Gruber. Our hopes were but a mirror of the Tyrol ; The love of country is the lodestar draws us all. Medici. The setting sun beholds our signal-fires Leap on to-night from alp to alp. Oh, what A flame of fierce delight these fires will kindle Within the Tyrol's heart ! Hofer. Our friends will soon be here. Shall we not build A fire to warm and welcome them ? Gruber. Leave that to me. [^He gathers brush and kindles a bonfire on the stage, round which they all gather as they come in. 268 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Hofer. Hark ! Hark ! What noise is that ? [Peering into the darkness. Medici. Some branches crackling! Who goes there ? A Voice. Friends. Medici. The countersign ? A Voice. " The time has come." Medici. Oh, Speckbacher ! And Jacob Straub ! Well named our minutemen ! [Recognizing tliem. [Speckbacher and Stuaub enter. The others greet them cordially. Speckbacher. And Father Joachim trails behind. [Father Joachim comes in. They gather round the fire. Hofer. You came through Meran ? Many stirring? Joe. The village was alive ! The streets were full, As if a hive of bees had swarmed. Hofer. All friendly to the cause ? Straub. All boiling with rebellion ! Hofer. Our first fight may be here. Joe. No better place! Here let us stand our ground ! Here let the war begin ! Hofer. 'Tis easily defended. Medici. 'Tis a Thermopylae! Hofer. Three carts of hay stand in the pass. These we Can use for barricades. And we can pile Up stones behind them. [Moo7i rising. ACT SECOND 269 Medici. See where the moon now lays her silver fingers Across the Adige and the Dolomites, Those rosy-mantled, cowled and giant monks Who guard the passes up from Italy. Look ! Look ! There ! There ! I think I see three forms Stealing like thieves along behind the shadows. [All gaze out into the darkness. Joe. I see them ! Strauh. So do I ! Hofer. Yes, I can now. Joe. Hello ! [A faint response is heard. Are you Bavarian, French, or Italians ? A Voice. Thank God, we're neither; we're Tyro- lese! Hofer. The countersign ? A Voice. " The time has come." Joe. 'Tis Sieberer and Winterstall ! Gruher. And Anton Oppacher! [Sieberer, Winterstall, and Oppacher enter, and while the others are greeting them, Hein- RiCH Etsctimatst and, Peter Wiesland of Fassig, come through the forest from the other side of the stage, siLddenly, followed hy others. Etschman. We stole upon you unawares, like wolves On unsuspecting sheep! Hofer. The rebels were outrebelled. ]_A distant clock strikes nine. All listen. 270 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Medici. 'Tis nine o'clock! The curfew tolls the hour For sleep. Let Tyranny now close her eyes And patriots awake to vigilance, For energy's the price of liberty. Hofer. Are all now here? Five Cantons stand around This fire we few have kindled. God be praised! All. Amen ! Hofer. Shall I begin the Diet? All. Such is our wish. Hofer. With prayer, as was the ancient custom? [All assent. They take off their hats and hoiv their heads; some kneel. Friar Joachim. O Thou great God, who rulest land and sea, And hold'st the Tyrol in Thy hollow hand, Extend Thy wings above us ! Be our buckler ! Oh, give this people strength, this council wisdom ; Confound the councils of our enemies ! Hofer. Shall T speak first? {All assent. Good friends, a people's fate May hang upon our counsels. Shoulder to shoulder We've stood together, a bulwark of defence In four short wars, l^apoleon. Joubert, ISTey Have smote these rocks and they have gushed forth blood. Torn from our mother's side, her heart, her joy, We have been thrown like carrion to wolves. Our Constitution, kissed by the reverent sons ACT SECOND 271 Of half a thousand years, is now in rags. Our farms are graveyards ; churches, deserts ; we Cannot worship God, for Jews gloat o'er Our chalices. Want stares us in the face. The name of Tyrol, this has been wiped off The map of Europe. [Cries of " Shame! Shame! " Now 'tis three days since I left Vienna, when our Emperor Bade me to bring this message to his children, His faithful Tyrolese : " Rise ! Cast off The chains Xapoleon forged at Austerlitz ! He's now my prisoner on Lobau's isle ; We hold the key, with eighty thousand men. The lion has been caged within this jungle. Expel the invaders ! Trust to Austria ! She holds the whip-lash over him. He breaks His teeth 'gainst granite. Ground to the quick, His jaws are toothless. Then our dogs of war Will tear his heart out, drink his blood." This is the message that he sent to you. Will all the Cantons join this Patriot League ? A Voice. Let Nestor speak! Medici. The Adige grasps the hand Passayerthal Extends, and puts her shoulder to the wheel. Our woes are mountainous as hers. We, sons Of Italy, love liberty as you do. My toils have been with books. When you have slept Your dreamless sleep on beds of asphodel, The ghosts of bygone ages haunted mine. The deathless dead have been my boon-companions. 272 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS I've walked with Dante through the fields Elysian And held sweet converse with the shade of Milton ; I've heard the Gracchi tell of that great chasm That threatened to engulf the might of Rome, And listened to great Greece's Cassandra sage, Who thundered 'gainst the sword of Macedon, And drunk deep draughts from that Thessalian spring; I've ate the hread the new republic feeds on, And knelt beside the tomb of Washington As Paul once sat before Gamaliel's feet ; I've sipped the loving-cup with Lafayette And Danton, Mirabeau and sweet Lamballe. This converse with the great, this life upon The mountain-tops of Time has filled my lungs With Freedom's holy atmosphere. No men Are good or great who breathe the air of slaves. [Applause. Hofer. The Pusterthal, will that rebel ? Peter Gruher. I keep an inn — I know the woes of peasants. The Pusterthal is broken-backed with taxes ; The farmer drags a lengthening chain ; he plows A furrow tracked with blood. Want grins at him ; Hunger barks at his heels ; his children cry Eor bread ; he gives them stones, and horsehair rags To shield them from grim Winter's tiger teeth. And when he lays his head upon his bed Of husks to die, not e'en his parish priest Can hear his prayer or cover his dead corse With Faith's or Charity's cold coverlet. ACT SECOND 273 Bavaria takes from us our young, our old, And makes them slaves of War. Our homes are here: These homely stones our baby feet have kissed. We hoped that stumbling age might cosset them. Death has some charms for him who dies defending His hearthstone 'gainst the oppressor. We stand true. ^Applause. Hofer. The valley of the lower Inn stands true ? Straub. Yes, every rock ! 'Tis like a stream of lava Ready to burst its bonds. We scarce can wait. The night before Vesuvius belched forth That frightful deluge of Hell's cerements, Pompeii's face was bathed in sun and smiles. Sweetly she slumbered like a new-born babe. So sleeps the valley of the lower Inn. These signal-fires will wake Vesuvius. Hofer. The upper Innthal ? Is that true ? What says Herr Sieberer ? Sieherer. No avalanche is surer, after rains Shall melt and frosts shall crack its old supports, To make the valley rock with desolation. Hofer. And will the Church stand true ? Friar JoacJiim. The cross, and not the sword, is her true weapon. The Holy See is regent of the world. The Pope is God's Vice-gerent upon earth, And Austria her first-born child, her best- Beloved, since France has spat upon her robe. Your chaplain I will be, St. Peter's priest, And wield at times, as Peter did, the sword, 274 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS And see that none lie idle in the trench Who should be on the walls. [Several voices call, " The man of Rinn! The man of Rinn! " Joseph. I live, you know, by hunting. The cham- ois knows My step. The Brenner Pass has been my cradle, The avalanche has sung my lullaby. These mountains bow their heads to me in friendship. The winds that shake their grizzled beards Have been my breath ; the sky my canopy. But since the fumes of Tyranny have soiled This atmosphere, so crystalline with freedom. Hunger and unkempt fields and shrivelled faces Stare out at me where'er I go. Last week My bosom-friend and I, chasing a deer. Outran our welcome, crossed the Tyrol's border Into that lair where lurk Bavaria's tigers. I lay me down to sleep beneath the pines While he went on to find a cooling spring. A shot crashed through the air ! I woke to see The man I loved tied to a tree, stone-dead. \ Cries of " Shame ! Shame ! " They seized me, gagged me, bound me, pinned me down While they could cook their noontide meal. I begged the boon of doing this for them. Tired, the watchman slept. I buckled wings Upon my feet and fled. But not for aye ! These signal-fires that light the mountain-tops And waken all these glens and glades and dales ACT SECOND 275 As springtide suns awake the sleeping fields, Shall guide to Innsbruck eighteen thousand men. They'll seize the castle, — once 'twas freedom's shrine. But now its charnel-house ! — restore it once again, AVhile Satan leads away his myrmidons To bleach their bones upon the Danube's banks. [Loud applause, by pounding their guns on the ground. [Dawn is breaking. Hofer. A rosy light now skirts the Dolomites ! Medici. The kiss of Day upon the breast of Night ! Gruber. (Who has been on watch, peering into the darkness.) That line of white — can it be tents? \All look eagerly southward. Several. Yes, those are tents ! Hofer. Macdonald's tents ! The French are on the march From Italy along the foot-hills towards Vienna. Good ! Necessity now pricks The heels of our great purpose. To-morrow's sun Will hear the footfalls of five thousand men Marshalled within this pass of Sterzing. Medici. The call to arms has sounded ! Signal- fires Will blaze all night ; the church-bells ring at dawn. To every village has been sent the billets Burnt' upon bark with fire : " The time has come," The children were our Mercuries. Joseph. The Inn and Adige rise upon the Brenner. Thence little planks, with blood-red flags equipped. 276 THE TYROLESE PATRIOT S Will bear to all our friends the bloody summons. Medici. And shavings, soaked in blood, will help these nymphs To tell our bloody purpose. Hofer. Now let us lift our hands and swear that, come What may, the Tyrol shall be free. lAll take off their hats and raise their right hands and say in unison, " We swear! We swear! We swear! " Our ship is launched. God grant that she may find Safe port and anchorage ! We shall not fail, For God helps him who helps himself. We'll win ! And while we fight our wives will work and pray, Will reap our crops, will sew and knit and spin ; Will moisten the dry tongues of those who faint, Will bury those that sleep the patriot's sleep In beds of flowers, wreathe them too with boughs That no unfriendly eye may count our dead. Yes, we shall win ! I read it in the clouds ! One summer's morn, in those Tyrolean Alps, I climbed a mountain with the climbing sun. The rocks, the rills, the trees, the deer, the birds Were waking from their slumbers, singing Matins of joy. I climbed far up a giant's shoulder Where two deep valleys join. My eyes were rapt In wonder at the awful scene. A storm Was rising. Soon the thunder roared, the forests Rocked and trembled. Tlien came a crash. I saw The earth, the rocks, the trees in motion down ACT SECOND 277 The mountainside. Anon they reached the gorge, Made one mad leap into the dread abyss, And all was chaos. When I looked again A cloud streamed up and floated off. Then all Was solitude — a fading memory. This portent has a meaning. An avalanche, When Heaven's flash of liberty has fired The German heart, will surely come. 'Tis fate! The storm will rise where Baltic mourns fair Freedom's Sleep. Sweeping south and gathering strength each league, 'Twill hurl these petty treaties, frail alliances, This paper realm that sits upon the sword, These squadrons, princes, dukedoms, kingdoms, all Into the seething current of the Rhine. The hand of God is mightier than that sword. [Murmur of applause. [After the enthusiasm has subsided, and they have shaJcen hands in congratulation. Medici. I move this Diet now adjourn to meet Again whene'er our chief shall call. [Voices:^' Agreed! Agreed!" Hofer. This Diet is adjourned. Let each perform The part assigned. God grant us full success ! ISTow let us meet the peasantry in arms, And let this be our Shibboleth, — " Our God, our Fatherland and Emperor." 278 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Scene II Same scene. Faint streaks of dawn. Enter Gretchen and Emelia in haste and out of hreath. Gretchen. Well, here's the bridge ! Emelia. And here we are ! All that is left of us ! Gretchen. Poor frightened lambs, pretending to be goats ! Emelia. You ran like a gazelle. Gretchen. But you, I fear, more like some broken- winded wether ! Emelia. Is this the summit of the Brenner ? Gretchen. ISTot quite. 'Tis Sterzing. Here the pass is narrowest. Emelia. How drunk they were ! [Laughing. Gretchen. With sleep. [Laughing. Emelia. Blest be the poppy ! Gretchen. The food for leaden legs and pudding- heads. Emelia. A rare decoction ! I wish its strength were double. Gretchen. 'Tis mother's balm for pain. She makes it When our poppies are in flower. Emelia. How did you mix it ? Gretchen. I poured some in each bottle. Emelia. These men ! These men ! But show a man a bottle . . . Gretchen. Or pretty ankle . . . ACT SECOND 279 Emelia. He'll follow it a mile. Gretchen. 'Twas lucky that you came ! I never should Have dared to face these forest-goblins all alone. Emelia. Which was the drunkest ? Gretchen. Sir Bottle Nose! He rattled on — the loon — Like some old mill. Emelia. But where were you ? Gretchen. Behind the corner of the inn. Emelia. What happened when they Avoke ? Gretchen. They both began to bellow out with rage that Joe had cheated them and fled ! " Where is That brother of old Baalam's ass ? " Emelia. " That mountain goat." [Both in a gale of laughter. Gretchen. Yes, " brainless — worthless . . ." Emelia. " Good-for-nothing oaf." Gretchen. That " hunter Joe "... Emelia. That " guzzling Joe." Gretchen. That " vagabond," that " ignorant cub." Emelia. But then he is a " famous shot." Gretchen. " And won the prize at Botzen." Emelia. {Feigning fear.) "I'd rather meet the devil." Gretchen. If ever Joe dra-ws bead on them . » . Emelia. " 'Twill not be Baalam's ass that kicks them." Gretchen. The mutton-heads ! 280 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Emelia. But how about the bridge? Gretchen. 'Twas he with curly locks — Sir Bottle Nose. Emelia. What did he say ? Gretchen. Dittfurt, he said, will swear like Mars, and asked the other if he had the fuse. The white- faced lamb said, yes. " But can we find the keg ? " " As sure as thirsty mouths find beer," said Lamb. " The bridge is ten miles off," said Bottle Nose. Emelia. And Lamb ? Gretchen. Said " Baa ! There's time enough ere morning." Emelia. What else ? Gretchen. He baaed once more and then I ran away. Emelia. The powder keg! The powder keg! \_Looking about. It must be near the bridge. [They begin to look for it, going off the stage even and returning. [Noise of voices is heard. Emelia. Hark ! I hear some voices. \_Liste7iing. Gretchen. 'Tis Lamb and Bottle ISTose. [They run off the stage, as the two Guardsmen appear, hot and tired. Second Guardsman. We're here before the rebels. First Guardsman. Damn the rebels! I'm tired as a dog. Second Guardsman. Dittfurt thought they would be here by dawn. First Guardsman. Damn Dittfurt! Damn the dawn! ACT SECOND 281 Second Guardsman. We have no time to lose. First Guardsman. Nor beer to drink. My throat is hot as ashes. Second Guardsman. And so's your nose. {Laugh- ing at him.) The keg! The keg! First Guardsman. Yes ! Yes ! The keg ! [First Guardsman goes looking about in an aim- less way and goes off the stage right. Second Guardsman goes off the stage left. Mean- while Emelia shows herself. She is watching them. I cannot find the thing! Second Guardsman. Some chamois's swallowed it! [They cross over and disappear again. I have it! I have it! Here it is! [Shoiding. [^RoUs the keg on the stage gingerly witli his foot. They then take it up and put it under a cor- ner of the hridgp, and Second Guardsman prepares the fuse and begins to light it. First Guardsman. Xow give us time enough ! Eive minutes sure ! [They hurry aivay and disappear. Emelta and Gretchen run on the stage, stamp out the fuse and pick it up and run away. The Guardsmen run hack. Those cussed girls! Those girls we saw last night! Second Guardsman. They heard you blab. First Guardsman. I hate a petticoat ! Second Guardsman. Those petticoats are better than our trousers. 282 THE TYR OLESE PATRIOTS First Guardsman. A petticoat is senseless, brainless ! Second Guardsman. Had brains enough for us this time. [The distant music of the Marseillaise is heard. Here come the rebels. First Guardsman. We must be quick. [They fumhle about in their coats and finally find and cut off another piece of fuse. The music is gradually drawing Clearer. While they are absorbed in their work, Joe, who has been scouting in advance, bounds upon the stage and 7'ushes up and seizes one of their guns, which had been laid down, and Emelia seizes the other. Joe collars the First Guardsman and Gretciien seizes hold of the Second Guardsman as he starts to run away. Joe. Hold ! Halt ! You scarlet-faced galoot ! [He backs him against the bridge, and begins to tie his hands behind him. Have you the scarlet-fever, or the measles ? [The Guardsman coughs a little to hide his chagrin. Emelia. The whooping-cough, perhaps ! [Joe noiu goes to Gretchen's aid. Joe. We'll make you daughter of the regiment. Emelia. And what shall I be, Joe ? Joe. A captain — no — a baroness. [Smiling. Emelia. Not to-day ! [He stands the two soldiers side by side, and puts Emelia and Gretchen guard over them, giving Gretchen a stick for a gun. The ACT SECOND 283 music has been growing louder, and now HoFER appears at the head of the patriot army, a motley army of hunters and farmers, with guns, one with a flail, one with a pitch- fork, and one with a scythe. Their earnest- ness saves them from appearing ridiculous. Joe. These two recruits have saved the bridge. Hofer. Let God be praised ! I feared it might be gone. These bridges are the Tyrol's arteries, And when they go its great heart beats in vain, And she becomes a starving, shrivelled wraith. Ah ! War revenges jSTatnre ; turns the milk Of kindness into gall and burns a blister Upon the face of Justice. Here at Sterzing Let us now rest and kiss the hand of God. This is the rendezvous of all five Cantons At dawn to-day. From here we take our march To Innsbruck. There Dittfurt's in command. He eats men's flesh and licks up women's blood And roasts our children for his noonday meal. He holds the town. We'll camp upon Berg Isel To-night, To-morrow's climbing sun shall see Us hovering o'er it as War's Furies hover O'er their prey, swooping down when darkness swoops. God help us ; 'suage the flow of blood ; God make Tlie Inn our friend ; temper its rage, tell it To lend a gentle hand to its old friends. [While they are resting a distant convent hell begins to ring. 284 'I'Hl': TYROLESE PATRIOTS Friar Joaehini. 'l\\v Aiiiiclus now calls (o inonilng prayer. To-morrow's siiii may set in criiiisuii clouda And many souls stand naked at (lie -I udi!:ment-Kseat. [..4// hnerl und arc sdi/iin/ their [irai/vrs when the curtain fall,-;. ACrr THIRD 285 ACT III Scene I A public H(juare in the city of InnshrucJc. At the bach of Ike dage the entrance to the Viceroy's jialace. Messengers passing in and out. A soldier, in jager costume, on guard. Two Tyrolesc peasants, strangers in the city, enter. First Peasant. Is IIiIh tlie Viceroy's palace? Guard. Soiric j)Ooplo call him so, and some the Peasant i\ in I!;. First Peasant. Which does he like the hetter? Guard. Neither. Tie calls himself the " Sand- wirt." First Peasant. Innkeeper of Sand ! Guard. He kept the inn there. First Peasant. His fiither did before him. Second Peasant. Was not this IMaxiinilian's palace? Guard. Yes, years ajLi^o. That's Maximilian's tomb. [Right. Second Peasant. Where those great statues are? Iferor's of bygone Aj^cH L'-iiarding- his totrd)? First Peasant. l)(j(!S IFofer like this knightly state? Guard. Not he ! He has no guard, goes unattended. 280 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS First Peasant. True peasant-king! How long has lie been King ? Guard. Six months. Second Feasant. Good fortune has not spoiled him ? Guard. Nor never will. First Peasant. You helped him capture Innsbruck ? Guard. Yes, I was here. First Peasant. A noble army. Guard. Yes, eighteen thousand men . . . Second Peasant. And women ! First Peasant. Who sprang up in a night . . . Second Peasant. Like Jonah's gourd. First Peasant. The very blades of grass grew into men. Second Peasant. A glorious day . . . Guard. But bloody fight ! First Peasant. I heard the French commander, Bisson, Shed tears when he surrendered up his sword, And said he never more should dare tc show Ilis head in France. But Hofer was like Tell of old And bade him keep the sword he used so well. It was the boy grown man. When we were boys I often trudged across the Brenner with him. Taking horses to that land of sun. Then he would Share his crust with me or with his horse. Guard. You know him then ? First Peasant. 'Twas years ago; now he's forgot- ten me. A generous man as ever loved his horse. ACT THIRD 287 IHere Hofee and Joseph come out, talking to- gether. The peasants stand hack hut Hofer espies them and stops to shake hands. Hofer. Heinrich ! Can this be you ? [First Peasant hows deferentially. You've grown a beard since we were horsemen. Ah, those were happy days ! No cares of state ! The sceptred chief sleeps not on beds of roses With cherubs fanning him with perfumed wings, Nor are his nights those rapturous siestas Which maidens fondly dream in fairy talcs. The sword of state, — that ghost that never sleeps ! — This stands beside his bed the livelong night, And never knows its scabbard all day long; Plays hide-and-seek, and riots in fierce fray. These cares that clutch our heart-strings, waken us To hear the echo of some battle's roar, Or see some sword is rampant we thought sheathed. [A Shepherd enters, with a sheepskin over his shoulders for a covering, accompanied hy one of Speckbaciier's scouts in jager costume. They go up to Speckbacher. Scout. This shepherd's from Verona and has news. Joseph. Bad news or good ? What is it ? Shepherd. (In a hroad country accent.) Two days ago I left Verona. There had I gone with sheep to sell. Joseph. You'd smuggled across the border. Shepherd. Our customs laws are not Bavarian now that we are free. I did, your Excellency. We cannot starve. We have a right to live, and cannot live on 288 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS air or by plundering Bavarian refugees. As I was saying to your Honors, two days ago at dawn I started back, and was at Jannack's. You know the place, 'tis in the Kaiserplatz. He sells Tyrolean beer, not that Italian wash. Joe. Go on ! Don't mind the beer ! Shepherd. Not mind the beer? Why not? 'Tis pale as amber, pure, no rosin in it. Joe. Well, well, your news ! Shepherd. Unless I stopped to get my beer I should have had no news. As I was saying to your Honors, just as I was settling the reckoning and buttoning down my wallet (it had the money for the sheep I sold), a French cuirassier, I think they called him, came, hot as Tophet, on a panting horse all white with lather. His boots were red with mud. No, brown . . . Joe. Never mind the mud. [^Impatiently. Shepherd. But how could I help seeing it when his boots were covered all over with it ? Hofer. {To Joe.) Let him tell his story as he will. Shepherd. I tell it right. I tell no lies. I heard him say the words myself. Hofer. What were his words ? Shepherd. He said Napoleon had whipped the Austrians at Pagram, near Vienna. Hofer. Said what ? Shepherd. He said, as I was telling you, Napoleon had met the Archduke John and routed him at Pagram, ACT THIRD 289 near Vienna. He fired this off in some French jargon, which Jannack told to me. [HoFER arid Joe are incredidoiis. Joe. A pretty fable ! My scouts have no such news. Hofer. Where heard this man this news ? Shepherd. From some Venetian merchants come from Vienna. Joe. Venetian varnish to sell their wares ! Take him away ! [To the Scout. Hofer. Order more powder from Corinthea ! 'Tis prudence. [Straub brings in a prisoner, a peasant, and hands a package to Joseph. He takes and opens it and hands it to Hofer. A proclamation from Eugene, Viceroy Of Northern Italy. It is addressed To the Tyrolese and couched in language soft. Foreshadowing redress of grievances, Kind sympathy for all our sufferings, And amnesty for past offences, The hand of fellowship to all our clergy. Joe. What's its date? Hofer. Two days ago. Joe. A ruse! A fake! 'Tis meant to gull us! Straub. We were not born on yesterday. Joe. Our eye-teeth have been cut. [Medici comes in. Medici. Is Hapsburg here? Hofer. He has not come. 290 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Medici. I met him in the village on his way. Hofer. What news ? Medici Straight from Vienna. Here he comes. [Enter Baron Hapsbukg. Baron Hapshurg. I greet your Excellencies. My journey from Vienna left me a famished wreck. I tarried At the Kaiser-hof for slight refreshment. Hofer. Your coming has outrun you. Baron. Ah, then my rest was fortunate. Through- out This war the raven's been my prototype. Hofer. You're always welcome, dove or raven ! ■ Baron. A message from our Emperor. [Handing him a paper. Hofer. The package is unsealed ! Baron. 'Tis so 'twas handed me. Hofer. (Reads. ) " My Tyrolese. I've tried to keep the promises I made to you some days ago, when France was on her back and we were at her throat. The French were then, I thought, my pris- oners, upon the isle of Lobau. Napoleon brought up reserves from Italy and from the Tyrol. Prince Eu- gene and Marshal Macdonald brought up two army corps from Italy. Marshal Lefebvre brought all the army from the Tyrol, full forty thousand. Thus rein- forced, the French defeated us at Wagram. To save my capital and throne, advised by all the princes and my generals, I made a treaty, and yielded two thou- sand square miles of territory, and of my people three ACT THIRD 291 millions and a half. The Tyrol, by its terms, remains a province of Bavaria, and all my soldiers must be withdrawn from there. My sorrow for your misfor- tunes, which make my heart bleed, and my gratitude for your fidelity, exceed all bounds. " (Signed) Francis." [Consternation. Sad news ! 'Tis like a dagger to our hearts ! Will Austria desert us now ? Leave us To grapple with this huge Colossus, lone and single- handed ? [Meditating. Medici. So says that letter ! Hofer. The Emperor ! He promised me, when in Vienna, never to put his hand to any compact except his " Faithful Tyrolese " — these were his very words ! — were once again his children, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh. Medici. That promise was the echoing light of that Bright morning star called Hope ! The guns, alas, Of Wagram shattered this reflection — if Wagram ever was and there were guns.- [The people in the city have heard the rumors and are coming eagerly in squads, during the rest of this scene, till the square is full. [Etsciiman and Winteestall come in, and Friar Joachim. Friar Joachim. What news is this Dame Rumor trumpets through The city's streets ? A score of villagers This horrid tale are croaking in my ears ! 292 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS [He and Hofer talk together^ and Hofer shows him the package and letter. Hofer. This unsealed package is an open book Which any one might write and foist upon us. Bring me a letter with the Emperor's seal And I'll believe the Emperor has signed it. Joachim. This, this is lies, deceit, some artifice . Invented by those artful French to gain Surrender ! Idle chaff ! I'll none of it ! A Trojan horse ! A Trojan horse ! Baron. This is no Trojan horse ! This letter signed By Francis, Emperor of Austria, Was given me three days ago. Joachim. By whom ? His name ? Baron. His name I did not learn. Joachim. His rank? Baron. An aide-de-camp. Joachim. Of whom ? Baron. The Emperor. Joachim. The letter was unsealed ? Baron. 'Twas as you see it. Joachim. Your orders were ? Baron. Deliver this to Andreas Hofer. Joachim. Know you the signature ? Baron. The Emperor's. Joachim. You've seen him write? Baron. No, never. Joachim. How know you then 'tis his ? Baron. I do not know. I think 'tis his. [The Baron has been growing red in the face and ACT THIRD 293 excited hy this volley of questions and his ambiguous position. Hofer and Joseph, Joachim and Medici confer. They believe this is another part of the stratagem, nw.ant to entrap them and gain the surrender of Innsbruck. Joachim tears the letter into pieces and throws the pieces into the Baron's face. Joachim. A trap ! A trap ! Baited with forgery ! \_The Baron advances to resent the insult, but is overcome by his anger, and falls in an epi- leptic fit. Another Ananias ! Joe. A mad rascal ! Medici. Sold to the French! This is God's judg- ment! Joachim. God's wrath has struck him down! Joe. (To two soldiers.) Go, take him out! \_The Baron is carried out. One of Joe's scouts comes in with a package, which he hands to Joe and Joe hands to Hofer.. Hofer. One is addressed to the " King of Bavaria," One to the " Crown Prince of Bavaria," One to " General Drouet d'Erlon." [Reads. " Your Majesty. The Emperor of Austria accepts my terms. Napoleon." " Your Grace. The Emperor yields me two thousand square miles of territory and three and a half millions of his subjects. J^apoleon," " General. The Emperor Napoleon orders three di- 294 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS visions of the Italian army to be at Linz, in the Tyrol, and six to be at Miihlbach, in six days, to reconquer the Tyrol. Botzen, Innsbruck and Pegri will be retaken at once. Show forbearance to the Tyrolese. Extend amnesty to all who lay down their arms. Duroc (Chief of Staff)." [Consternation. [After a silence. The raven has spoke true ! Our doubts are shadows ! Our roseate dreams turn gray ! The hand that held The Tyrol in its clutch is giant grown ! No Constitution now! The Tyrant rules. Now will he seize our freedom by the forelock And drag it through the mire of despotism. Religion weeps hot tears and tears her hair, For he will choose the shepherds who shall lead Our children's feet along the thorny road To Heaven ! Sixty thousand men ! Napoleon ! O God, how long ! How long must that remorseless, All-conquering sword carve Europe into states As butchers hew the carcasses of steers ? Have mercy! Hang Thy scales of Justice high In Heaven, a promise to the nations right Shall triumph, nor shall cease, till Peace shall spread Her aegis over Europe. Joachim. (Who has been examining the papers and conferring with Joseph.) A trick! A trick! A Celtic, Jewish trick ! — Your Excellencies, and you, compatriots: All's fair in war, this God of War believes. A paper bullet's softer than a leaden ; ACT THIRD 295 And if it does its work, why not then use it ? We mountaineers know not the craft of men, The stratagems which blind the eyes with sand The easier to drive the dagger home. They think us senseless as the senseless sea That idly laps the shore ; they think us flotsam. These words are forgeries ! Tear them to shreds, And stuff them down this Frenchman's throat ! The lies Yon Judas tried to speak choked him to death. A Frenchman fattens on such diet. [The crowd cheer these sentiments. But Hofer and Joe, who are not convinced, are silent. Emelia and Gretchen come in. A Peasant. (To Hofer.) Must we embrace the knees of our oppressors, Lay down our arms, give up our hopes and vanish ? [Several Voices: ''No!" ''Never!" "Never!" " Never! " " The Tyrol for the Tyrolese! " Second Peasant. {To Joachim.) Don't God help those who help themselves ? Friar Joachim. He often has in ages past. Medici. Ten thousand Greeks at Marathon with- stood The hordes of Persia. [Applause. Friar Joachim. Three hundred at Thermopylae withstood three millions! [Applause. Medici. Across the sea, three million farmers faced All England and her myrmidons. [Applause. 296 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS A Voice. And France and Spain lent them their swords. A Voice. Prussia will help us ! Another Voice. She hates the French! Another Voice. She's boiling with rebellion. A Voice. (To HoFBR.) What proof have you the Emperor signed that paper ? Hofer. Baron Hapsburg brought it here. [Voices: '' An aristocrat ! " ''A traitor!" "A renegade! " A Voice. He hates the Tyrolese. Joe. He turned his back on us at Hall, and scorned To send us help, when we were on the edge And precipice of ruin. [Joe is being carried away hy the prevailing en- thusiasm, but Hofer is not. Oppacher. Give me five hundred men and I will hold The pass of Strub 'gainst fifty thousand. A Voice. Our northern gate ! \^Applause. Joe. Twice have we held the Brenner, twice cap- tured Innsbruck. A Voice. Our central gate! [Applause. Medici. We all know Sterzing is Gibraltar. A Voice. Our southern gate! [Applause. Medici. The Swiss won independence ! So can we ! [Hurrahs, enthusiasm. They swing their hats and crowd off the stage, leaving Hofer, Emelia and Gretchen. Gretchen. You seem so sad, dear father. ACT THIRD ??I Hofer. (Shakes his head.) This is the height of madness ! We are a feeble folk. Our feeble breast Cannot withstand the battering-ram of Europe. Emelia. Our purpose and conceptions are sublime. Desert us not ! What counts one feeble life ? Their mountains saved the Swiss ; our mountains, too, May help us build a Tyrolese republic, And you may be its Tell. [_They walk off. 298 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS ACT IV Scene I The Fugitives Winter. A hut, small, neglected, thatched roof, on one side of the stage. On the other side a fire at ivhich Anna is cooking something in a kettle sus- pended on a crotched stick. Gretchen is peeling some potatoes, which she puts in the kettle. Hofer is picking up branches of wood in the forest near by, which he brings in and puts upon the fire. All look haggard and hungry. This scene takes the front of the stage. Anna. (To Gretciten.) What! Fifteen hundred florins for his head ! Dead or alive ! Gretchen. The French have oflfered it. Anna. Who told you this? Gretchen. There is a placard posted in the village. 'Tis signed hy General d'Hilliers. Anna. A bait thrown to our starving Tyrolese To tempt some tramp to tell this hiding-place. Hofer. (Who comes in with a handful of branches and puts them on the fire.) ]^o smoke ! I^o noise, my dears ! They might betray Us to our hunters. ACT FOURTH 299 Anna. We know that well. Hofer. What have you in the pot ? Anna. Some bones for soup. They are our last. Hofer. To-night, then, I must venture villageward. Anna. No, no. You will be seen. Hofer. Your pinched and starving faces frighten prudence ! I think there's no one in our loving land Who does not love us far too well to tell Our secret to the breath of Heaven. [Emelia enters, hot and tired from her long climb, hearing a basket on her arm. Gretchen. Here comes our good Samaritan ! [Gretchen goes to meet her and takes the bas- ket. Emelia. There's bread and honey, butter, cheese and wine. Gretchen. 'Twas thus the ravens fed Elijah. [They all greet her cordially. Anna. 'Tis well you came, for Andreas had threat- ened To go down the berg to-night, and risk his capture. Emelia. (Handing a sealed envelope to Hofer.) I have good news ! Our Emperor sends you this. All. Our Emperor ! Hofer. (After opening and reading, while all crowd around him. ) Who gave you this ? Emelia. 'Twas Baron Hapsburg. Anna. A trick to find our hiding-place! Emelia. No, no ! Not so ! My life upon it ! 300 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Hofer. {Reading.) " Dear, faithful friend. lam fearful for jour life. The French have set a price, I hear, upon your head, and hope, no doubt, the price may tempt some starving Tyrolese to turn a traitor. Come here, I beg of you. The Archduke John, who loves you well, joins me in this request. Here in Vienna you are safe; among your mountains, never. Already I have made you Count of Tyrol, and settled on you and your kin an ample stipend. Come quickly, ere it be too late ! Francis." Anna. The Emperor has a noble heart ! Emelia. And Baron Hapsburg has the horses ready Por all of you. [Anna and Gretchen embrace Mm with joy. Anna. Come, Andreas ! Come ! Now let us go ! Gretchen. Your life is very dear to us, papa. [LooJcing into his face. Hofer. Your lives are safe ! No blood has stained your hands ! The gates of Heaven, its walls of alabaster, Are not more stainless. Anna. Our lives are naught. 'Tis yours! Hofer. My life is but a feather on the wind. The winds may blow or north or south, 'tis naught ! My days are barques laden with broken hopes: And my nights agonies for Tyrol's woes ! All have borne arms since Prince Eugene proclaimed His amnesty are shot or gibbeted Or tied to horses' tails, men, priests and boys ; Our hamlets, deserts : towns are funeral pyres : ACT FOURTH 301 This Battle-Fury, this awful God of War, Has never learned the potency of love, The witchery and statecraft of affection. This side the Rhine he rules by blood and iron. By mailed fists, not open-handed favor. But he will reap what he has sown — hate, hate. Eternal hate ! The murmurs of the surf Will soon become tumultuous thunderings Of ocean, maddened, mountainous, majestic. The corsair chief, who sails his paper barque In such a tempest, surely will be swamped. Those hundreds hoarded in Italian dungeons. In agony of patience, beg the walls To crush them. Can I leave these friends to die ? Emelia. But can you save them ? Hofer. I'm guiltier than they. My life might be Atonement, 'suage the tyrant's rage. Emelia. No one can die for all. [Anna a7id Gretciien kneel to him and caress him. Hofer. I was the battle-front of this, sedition. Emelia. But you advised they haul their pennon down And sheathe their swords. Hofer. But when the people fell upon my neck And begged me raise again the Gorgon-head Of War, I yielded to their prayers. Gretchen. Not willingly, papa ! Anna. You sweat great drops of blood before you yielded. 302 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Uofer. That matters naught. The sanctity of mo- tive Is buried, lost in this great holocaust. I dare to die. I dare not be a coward, And slink away, a thief with blood-bought pelf. Thousands have died, breasting the thundering squad- rons; Shall I turn pale before the Great White Horse ? I urged them into battle's sulphurous hell : Shall I wait death upon a flowery bed ? " Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " — Earth, Heaven smiles when patriots meet their deaths — These words have wafted loving souls to Heaven, Exchanging death for gules of martyrdom. Shall I live on as lives the galley-slave, Crawl, sneak, and cower 'neath the patriot's lash. And die at last with none to shed one tear ? The potion mixed for others I should take. They've sixty thousand cutthroat knives Greedy to stab the Tyrol, face or back, Pile woes on woes until they top the clouds ! It matters naught ! The Tyrol's heart is broke. Hope, like the fairy Lorelei of the Rhine, Or the sleek Siren of Calypso's isle, Has lured me on from dream to dream Till Truth held up her mirror to my face And broke the glass. Emelia. (Pointing to the letter she brought.) The Emperor has made you Count of Tyrol ACT FOURTH 303 And offers you a refuge from these wolves, And grants a revenue commensurate With this high title. Hofer. To take it were a sacrilege. My gratitude I'll send for his good offices. But I was born A peasant. Peasant will I die. These people, They've laid their lives, their honor, country, all Upon my shoulders ; rose as if one man ; The patriotic fires that warmed their hearts They fused into one flame, a conflagration. This revolution is a spectacle That ages hence will gaze upon in wonder. Shall I alone turn traitor ? Shall churlish tongues Say, when the ship was sinking Hofer fled ? Emelia. Your King deserted you ! Hofer. These people are my King; their love my life; Their breath my hope of Heaven; their hearts my tomb; Their faith my crown, e'en though of martyrdom. Gretchen. Hark! What's that? [All listen. Anna. The crackling of dead branches ! Hofer. Some animal, a deer, perhaps. Anna. I hear the rustling of dead leaves ... Gretchen. Like footsteps crunching through the for- est. Emelia. Into the hut ! Into the hut ! Quick ! Quick ! [Anna takes the hettle, Gretchen the hasTcei, Emelia the pan of potatoes. Hofer dead- 304 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS ens the fire luith ashes. All rush into the hut, HoFEK last, closing and fastening the door. A Voice. Rafelle, you rascal, you've been cheating us! Another Voice. Judas, you damn'd black-hearted Jew, you've lost your thirty shekels ! You deserve a beating for taking us this dreadful climb ! [Enter Joseph Rafelle, ivho betrays Hofee, followed by Dittfurt, who is beating him over the head and shoulders with his sword and h'lching him. Several soldiers come in. Rafelle. Oh ! Oh ! Don't ! Don't ! I've lost my way ! That's all ! Dittfurt. You'll lose your head unless you find the rebel ! Bafelle. Oh! Oh! I'll find him! He's on this mountain ! Oh! Oh! Don't! Don't! [All looJc about them. Dittfurt. This mountain here is rightly called " old Schneeberg " : Its only tenants are the snows and glaciers. Hofer is no fool, to leave the dales the sun Has christened with the breath of life To batten on this iceberg. Soldier. Ah ! Here's a hut ! Dittfurt. Only a hunter's camp. Soldier. But here are ashes. Another Soldier. Yes, they are warm. ACT FOURTH 305 DitifurL Last year, you fool. Soldier. But they have burned my hand. D'difurt. All ! lla ! Perhaps we're on the scent. Soldier. This door is fastened. Dittfurt. Inside ? Soldier. Inside. Dittfurt. Then use your bayonet. [The door is opened from the inside and Hofer steps out. Rafelle. Yes ! Yes ! That's General Barbone ! Dittfurt. " Barbone " ? Rafelle. We call him Barbone for his long beard. Hofer. I am the man you sock. I'm Andreas Hofer. Do what you like with me, but these are guiltless. Dittfurt. {While Anna and Gketchen crowd around Hopper to shield him from arrest.) Seize him ! Bind him ! Gag him ! Hofer. There is no need. I'll go with you. I've faced The cannon's mouth too oft to tremble now. [The soldiers seize Hofer and throw him down brutally upon his face. One pulls out a hand- ful of his long, red heard, one puts his Jcnee on the small of his hack, while another ties his arms hehind him. Blood trickles down his face. Meanwhile others tie Anna's hands hehind her hack. A soldier leers at Gretciien. Dittfurt remembers Emei.ia and offers her no indignity. Then they make a noose in 306 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS a rope, put ilie noose round IIofer's neck like a halter and lead him aivay by it. As he goes he turns to Emelia and Gretciien. Hofer. Be steadfast and be patient. 'Tis thus that you May expiate my sins ! [One soldier remains behind to set fire to the hut. Two Tyrolese hunters rush out from the for- est and seize the soldier and detain him. DiTTFURT hurries hack to the rescue and is struck over the head in the melee with the butt of a gun and falls before the curtain goes down. Scene II Venice by moonlight. The Quay of St. Mark's, with the Bridge of Sighs across the stage in the back- ground. Time, sunset verging into evening. Chil- dren at play on the quay and feeding the doves. Gretchen and Emelia come upon the stage arm in arm. Oretchen. No answer from the Emperor! [Anxious. Emelia. It is not time. 'Tis six, no, seven days Since Baron Hapsburg spurred Bucephalus Towards Vienna. Have thou no fear, my dear ! Were Alexander's self upon his back ACT FOURTH 307 The goal would not bo quicker won. No barb Of Araby, the children of the desert Hunt the fleet chetah on, could be more swift. Gretchen. When think you he'll return ? Emelia. He waved me this adieu — these were his words — " Expect me this day week at sunset." Gretchen. The sun is setting. Emelia. Give him some leeway ! Gretchen. Think you the Emperor'll beg Eugene To spare my father's life ? Emelia. To doubt it were the depth of folly. Has he not forded bogs of misery ? Gretchen. Composure sat so still upon my father's brow ! Emelia. 'Twas Patience on the cross ! Gretchen. And Marshal Bisson was so kind ! Emelia. Considerate as Justice ! Gretchen. His locks are driven snow ! Blazoned with medals ! A prisoner not many moons ago In Innsbruck ! When he yielded up his sword He tore his hair; his eyes were brooks. " Where shall T hide my poor, gray head, haloed with shame ? This day's the end of all ! " he faltered forth. My father's mercy turned this grief to love. Emelia. The whole court martial breathed forth mercy. Gretchen. " Unless Napoleon stays our hands," he said 308 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS To Joe, " your sun will rise to-morrow." [Enter Joe in haste, disguised as a gondolier. Joe. (Eager and happy.) I met the General, in St. Mark's Square, While on my way. " The Fates," he said, " still guide." The judges sit again at once. Emelia. You think they'll vote acquittal ? Joe. Acquittal ? No. But spare his life. Gretchen. My God ! My God ! I thank Thee ! [Kneeling. Emelia. I'll bear this bcnison to your mother. [Hurries off. Gretchen. Saved ! Saved ! The fiends have lost their prey ! Three weeks Of agony ! The moon rose clear to-night. The bay appeared a shield of burnished silver: On it disported domes and gondolas Caparisoned Avith n^Tnphs and satyrs, imps, Ships in full sail, their masts garlanded with wreaths. Behold the Lion of St. Mark ! His wings Outstretched, that shielded for a thousand years This city, smile beneath the moonbeam's kiss. How perfect your disguise ! [Turning to Joe. Joe. A gondolier in dress and voice and song, My song keeps roundelay with my long oar. The French set, too, a price upon my head : For months I've habited yon mountains, chased By greedy, two-legged wolves, a fugitive. Come, Gretchen, let us lay aside the weeds Of war that drape the chambers of the mind ACT FOURTH 309 And dress our thoughts in flowers and scarlet robes. How oft among yon mountains have we seen Anemones unveil their eyes at mom To let the sunshine dry their dewy tears ; Have seen the humming-bird asleep upon The zephyr, striding the sunbeam, feeding Of sweets the summer suns distil ! Oh, come And let us their sweet lesson learn. Gretchen. The mountain's breath is sweeter than the sea's ! Joe. But this is Venice, Adriatic's Queen ; f A gondolier's song is heard. Ay, queen of queens when clad in Ivuna's dress. See where that skiff glides through yon silver lane, Plowing up jewels in its lengthening furrow ! That gondolier ! He's some aquatic god Just risen from the council-halls of T^eptune. The rainbow lends him hues! Hark, hear his song! It echoes like some distant organ's voice Among these walls and seulptured cornices. Or as the trumpet-swan's soft notes Float on among our castled crags and cloisters. Gretchen. All wondrous, beautiful, but yet, not home! Our hearts love best the Tyrol's solitudes ; Our feet love best the chamois' rugged path, His home and pastures 'mid the realm of snow; Our bosom-friends are cataracts and glaciers, The hawk and eagle, whose broad wings are sails, Whose vision takes in half the Zodiac. 310 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS 'Tis these we love the best. [Affectionately. Joe. (Responding.) True! True! To-morrow we will wend our way Back home. This war, its wails, its woes, its tears, Have woven with a grasping web the threads We spun in childhood's days. From now we will Together climb the hill of life. Trust me ! You need a manlier arm than yours to keep At bay the fauns and satyrs will infest These solitudes hereafter. [Taking her hands. Gretchen. {Laying her head against his shoulder.) How strange that here between this palace front And this grim prison we should plight our troths ! [Mtisic is heard in the piazza. Joe. Hark! Hark! There's music! Love's sweet serenade ! It lends Romance's robe to Heavenly vows. Come, let us wander through the corridors That bound the Great Piazza, join the throng Of gay Venetians. [They go out hand in hand. [Enter Emelia and Baron Hapsburg. Emelia. And was the Emperor willing? Baron. Painfully willing! Quick as light he wrote To Prince Eugene to beg this boon : A pardon for his " faithful friend." Emelia. The letter ? Have you it here ? Baron. 'Tis flying toward Meran by courier. Emelia. My heart goes with it! [Earnestly. Baron. But what am I to have ? ACT FOURTH 311 Emelia. (Smiling.) My gratitude! That's not enough ? Baron. Not quite. Emelia. My gratitude is not enough ? [Feigning surprise. Baron. A hungry man would starve on gratitude. Emelia. But gratitude is oft the food of love. Baron. Of woman's, maybe ; seldom of a man's ! Emelia. I have naught else to give. Baron. Ah, pardon me, you have a heart. Emelia. I fear I have no heart. Baron. You had one once; and I have seen you throw That panting jewel at the feet of poor. Sick, wounded soldiers, stretched on pine-bough beds, While I, poor wretch, was starving for a smile. Emelia. Are smiles such jewels ? Baron. Sometimes! Why, think you, have I done all this — Rode day and night from Venice to Vienna ? Emelia. To save a life. Baron. Why braved a sister's scorn and risked A father's life ? Emelia. To serve a noble cause. Baron. Why joined the Tyrolese ? Emelia. To help a prostrate cause. Baron. Why faced Bavarian bullets? Emelia. To set a people free. Baron. Stood to my smoking gims when Austria Had called her children home ? 312 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS Emelia. To find a home in all Tyrolean hearts. Baron. And lose one heart worth all the rest. Emelia. But is it worth the price you'd pay ? Baron. Yes, ten times more. [She gives him her hand. Emelia. The prize you covet is not worth, I fear, The powder you have burned to get it. [She yields reluctantly , as if doubting her wisdom. [Enter Anna and Medici, disguised as a Capucin monk, ivho takes down his daughter's hands from her face. Medici. My daughter, why so pensive ? Emelia. These are not times in which our thoughts can play As do gazelles with their own shadows. Medici. True ! True, my child ! My heart is heavier Than yours. Baron. But Hofer's life is saved. What troubles you? Medici. The old, sad tale of disappointed hope ! My dream of liberty is all a mirror Broken to atoms ! Still, one hope allures. I saw in vision, half-awake last night, l^Tapoleon shipwrecked on a desert isle, Chained to a rock, cabined in a horse-shed, Activities Herculean penned in a sty; A vulture gnawing his own vitals, whose Food had been the enthralling of a world. . . . Anna. Oh, God ! That we might see that day ! ACT FOURTH 313 Medici. A deep, sepulchral voice — 'twas from above — Spake in my ears these words : " Since time began No man has long defied Mankind and lived," Anna. The voice of God once spoke to Moses from A burning bush. Medici. So I bethought myself and prayed. [Joe and Gretchen come hack hand in hand. Joe. The time draws near when from yon clock- tower gate The mailed knight shall strike the hour of seven. [27ie clock begins to strike. All stop and listen, facing the bridge. A ray of moonlight lights the bridge. Medici. How spectral is this gloom! That long canal — Cimmerian in its night — winds in and out As wound the inky Styx through darkest Hades. One feeble ray of light brightens this gloom. Well-named, thou Bridge of Sighs ! A palace here ; A prison there ; and ocean rolls between. On either side beneath the tide are cells : Here reigneth Peace and Joy and Merriment; There lowereth Grief and Solitude and Crime. Within this banquet-hall, the Court of Life; Within that prison hall, the Court of Death: A birthplace here, and there a sepulchre. This sea divides two awful silences: One heralds Birth ; one trails pale Death; And Life's tumultuous billows surge between. 314 THE TYROLESE PATRIOTS [The noise of the turning of a great key in a lock and the withdrawing of iron bars is heard, on the palace end of the bridge, where the court has been sitting. Then three figures step out on the bridge, the jailer with the prison-keys, IIofkr i?i black, and Father Joachim in a Capucin monk's garb. HoFER. (In a sepulchral voice to his friends below.) Mj judges would have granted me my life — Napoleon would not have it so. Farewell ! A long farewell ! Farewell forever ! I die to-morrow at the dawn. \^A deep moan goes up from the people below as the curtain falls, and the three move over the bridge. Last Scene. Spectacular The lights go down and it is night. Then, after a while, dawn lights the stage, and people pass along to their work. Anna, Gretchen, Joe, Medici and Emelia come upon the stage in black. The death-march is heard on the drums at a distance, coming gradually nearer, and a guard with guns reversed escorting Hofer attended by Joachim appear. They halt. The captain of the guard reads the warrant for Hofer's execution and tells him he must kneel and he blindfolded. Pigeons are running about picking up com. ACT FOURTH 315 Hofer. I only kneel before my God ! I've faced Death often, and I shall not blanch. My hand Upon my heart will guide your soldiers' aim. My God ! My Fatherland ! My Emperor 1 Ctjktain. H 20 89 1i "/ '^^ %^ • ^ ^^^^^ '' HECKMAN l±| BINDERY INC. p| ^^ JAN 89 JAN 89 I V v^^ '^^m^ ^"^^ "J-^xxx^^- N.MANCHESTER. I •O'' 't.^ ^TT^ • * aV ^O. ♦ . vT » .O''